Lahore: The Punjab government has launched the ‘Himmat Card’ initiative, aimed at empowering persons with disabilities (PWDs) by providing them with ATM cards for financial assistance, as reported on August 30.
As per details, a memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed between the Department of Social Welfare and the Bank of Punjab, in the presence of Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to supporting the province’s most vulnerable citizens.
Under this program, the Bank of Punjab will distribute ATM cards to 65,000 individuals with disabilities throughout the province. These cards will provide each recipient with a quarterly stipend of PKR 10,500. The rollout will occur in two phases, with 40,000 PWDs receiving their cards in the first phase, followed by an additional 25,000 in the second phase. Disbursement of funds through the Himmat Card is set to begin by September 15th.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif emphasized the state’s responsibility to care for those in need, particularly individuals with disabilities. She highlighted that supporting the less fortunate is a moral obligation and a key priority for her administration.
The Himmat Card is a comprehensive service package designed to provide financial aid and other services to PWDs. Currently, the government has announced a quarterly stipend of Rs 7,500 for eligible PWDs. This card will also serve as a gateway to any additional services introduced by the government for PWDs in the future.
Eligibility Criteria for the Himmat Card:
The individual must be certified as a PWD by Social Welfare Punjab.
The PWD must be classified as NOT FIT TO WORK.
The PWD should not be employed in either the government or private sectors.
The PWD must not have recently received any grants from Bait ul Maal, Zakat Fund, PSPA, BISP, or similar sources.
The PMT score issued by BISP should not exceed 37.
The PWD’s basic information, including CNIC, address, mobile number, education, and experience, must be updated in the DPMIS system.
This initiative marks a significant step forward in the Punjab government’s ongoing efforts to support and uplift the most vulnerable members of society.
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