KP launches programme for differently abled persons

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has launched a financial assistance programme worth Rs 370 million to support differently abled persons in the province.Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur launched this programme at a ceremony held here at Chief Minister’s House on Wednesday, said a handout.He distributed financial assistance cheques among special persons.

Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Syed Qasim Ali Shah, members of the provincial assembly, officials of the Social Welfare Department, and special persons attended the event.Under the financial assistance programme, 37,000 special persons from across the province would be provided with Rs 10,000 each.

Speaking at the ceremony, the chief minister said that the term “disabled” would no longer be used in official documents, and instead, the term “persons with special abilities” would be adopted.

He emphasized that these individuals possessed unique and exceptional abilities and needed opportunities to showcase their potential.The chief minister said that it was the responsibility of the state to support all vulnerable segments of society, including persons with different abilities.

“During our tenure, no vulnerable group, including persons with special abilities, will remain without government support; the provincial government will take responsibility for the destitute and helpless people”, he said.

He also said that the data on persons with special abilities, widows, orphans, and other deserving individuals was being collected across the province. Similarly, in order to ensure sustainability, all welfare initiatives of the provincial government were being incorporated into the regular budget, he added.

He announced a programme to provide electric wheelchairs to persons with special abilities, adding that in the first phase, electric wheelchairs would be distributed to special government employees and students in higher education institutions, followed by the provision of wheelchairs to special students in schools in the second phase.