Prime Minister Imran Khan Saturday said his government’s vision is based upon the basic humanitarian principles of lifting the conditions of the downtrodden and weaker segments of the society.
Addressing the launching ceremony of Sehat Sahulat programme for the disabled, the prime minister said the human society has roots in the compassion and consideration for the downtrodden. He said improving the condition of the deprived segments of society is the responsibility of the state. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf government’s vision is focused on improving the conditions of weaker people of the society or those unfortunate who have been suffering from various issues, he added.
The prime minister said they want to introduce a centralised and data-based programme in Pakistan in collaboration with all the institutions involved in financial support of the poor and deprived classes, and cited launch of the Sahulat Card and the Ehsas programme aimed at improving the economic conditions of the poor.
The prime minister said every nation has a vision and that Pakistan is the only country to have been created in the name of Islam. “But, unfortunately, we have gone far from our goal for which this country was created,” he lamented. “The vision for Pakistan’s creation was to make it an Islamic welfare state on the principles of the State of Madina,” he said. “The State of Madina was a modern state as its foundation was laid on the basis of humanity and justice. Holy Prophet (Peace Be Upon Him) is a role model for us and if we follow his Sunnah and teachings, we will be successful,” he said. “The Muslims ruled the world for one thousand years following the principles of the State of Madina,” he added.
The prime minister said the launch of Sehat Sahulat programme for the disabled is a step towards formation of a welfare state. Appreciating the performances of Dr Zafar Mirza and Dr Sania Nishtar in their respective fields, Imran Khan said it has been decided that from now onward, every ministry will present a report about their work or performance before commencement of the cabinet meeting every week which could improve life of common man and providing facilities to them.
Earlier, the prime minister distributed Sehat Sahulat cards among a number of disabled persons.
Speaking on the occasion, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations and Coordination Dr Zafar Mirza said serving the vulnerable and humanity is motto of the government and launch of the Sehat Sahulat programme on the occasion of completion of one year of the government is a great honour. He said bringing changes in health system and making it easy for the common man is their mission. Despite all financial constraints, the government has allocated Rs 200 billion in the budget for the social safety and poverty alleviation programme, which speaks volumes about its commitment for the health sector, he added.
Dr Mirza said the government’s mission is provision of universal health coverage and it is that vision which gave the idea of launch of Sehat Sahulat programme for the disabled. He said the Sehat Insaf Sahulat Card would be available for all the disabled persons. Some 200,000 people have already been registered as disabled in database of National Database Registration Authority and the card will be available to all the disabled persons after registration, he added.
Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar said two percent quota has been allocated for the disabled persons in government jobs, one percent in government accommodations and two percent in the Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme. She said the strategy document of Ehsas Programme will be put on the website. She said the prime minister has approved five priorities under the Ehsas Programme, under which some 40 million people will be provided social protection in next four years.
She said 3.8 million people will be provided job opportunities while 10 million will be issued Insaf cards. Similarly, 500,000 students will be given scholarships while six million women will be given stipends under the ‘Kifalat Programme’, she added.
Dr Sania Nishtar said a policy is being formulated for orphanage centers and a framework is being devised for engagement of social institutions in the private sector. The expert group has finished its work for protection of the people working in informal sector and its details would be issued very soon, she added.
