- PM launches ‘Ehsaas Kafalat’ scheme to uplift financially deprived women
- Around Rs200 billion have been earmarked for Ehsaas programme to help uplift the weaker segments of society
- Rs 2,000 per month stipend will be paid to the most deserving and poorest women across the country
- All existing eligible beneficiaries of BISP will continue to be part of the new scheme
ISLAMABAD, January 31: Prime Minister Imran Khan has formally launched “Ehsaas Kafalat” scheme for socio-economic empowerment of the financially deprived women in the country.
Rs 2,000 per month stipend will be paid to the most deserving and poorest women across the country through a digital payment system based on transparent mechanism under the programme, sources reported.
The scheme was launched in a ceremony in Islamabad on Friday.
All existing eligible beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) will continue to be part of the new scheme.
The total numbers of expected Kafalat beneficiary women are around seven million. Enrolments of one million families in 70 districts have already begun and these families will start receiving Kafaalat stipends in the next two months.
Addressing the ceremony, the premier said the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) government is taking steps to make Pakistan a welfare state on the pattern of state of Madina.
He said the social welfare schemes of the incumbent government will transform Pakistan into a country where social equality prevails. So far, six million families have been issued the health and can now avail medical treatment of up to Rs720,000, he said. The loans being given under Ehsaas programme, the premier said, will promote entrepreneurship and small and medium enterprises in the country. Around Rs200 billion have been earmarked for Ehsaas program to help uplift the weaker segments of society, he added.
Under the Kafalat program, he said, under-privileged women will be assisted to open bank accounts, which would help stop theft of their money and also enable them to purchase essential items from Utility Stores.
PM Imran also appreciated the government’s initiative of giving smart phones to the deserving women that, he said, would “open a whole new world for them and their families”.
More beneficiary families will be added through desk registration and other districts will be covered by end of the year.
Kafalat is part of the wider Ehsaas programme, where women will have better access to opportunities to graduate themselves out of poverty.
He said new programmes of Ehsaas will also be launched soon, under which other social welfare measures will be given to poor people. He said stenting and malnutrition are two major issues facing the poor people of the country.
Prime Minister Imran also appreciated efforts of Special Assistant on Social Protection and Poverty Alleviation Dr Sania Nishtar in developing proper system to distribute money among the most deserving people of the country. The premier also distributed Kafalat cards among the deserving women on the occasion.-Agencies
