Government holds “Punjab Philanthropy Forum-2015” to support the poor

Lahore: Acting Governor Punjab, Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan has said that government is taking all out steps for providing maximum facilities to deserving persons and making them economically strong. He said that Aashiyana Housing Scheme, clean drinking water project, metro bus project, parho Punjab, barho Punjab besides financial assistance of destitute persons from Zakat and Bait ul Maal is a clear proof to the priorities of the government.

He stated this while addressing “Punjab Philanthropy Forum-2015” at 90-Shara-e-Quaid-e-Azam, here today. Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Marvi Memon, Provincial Minister for Zakat and Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran, Provincial Minister for Population Welfare Begum Zakia Shahnwaz, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chairman and members Punjab Zakat Council, representatives of NGOs and Chamber of Commerce and Industry besides scholars, politicians and philanthropists were present in large numbers on the occasion.

Governor Punjab said that philanthropists should come forward to lend a helping hand to the government for making the country a welfare state in the real sense and help the needy brethren. He said that other provinces are also forced to follow Punjab due to its successful ongoing public welfare projects. He said that it is not only our social and religious obligation to help the poor but the interest of our future generations as well ourselves is also linked with it. He congratulated Provincial Minister Malik Nadeem Kamran for holding the forum and expressed the hope that this session of scholars, educationists, government officers, politicians and representatives of national and international organizations will help evolve a joint strategy for ameliorating the economic condition of poor persons.

Chairperson Benazir Income Support Programme Marvi Memon while speaking on the occasion said that alleviation of poverty lies in the economic development and provision of employment opportunities. She said that steps are being taken for the assistance of deserving poor persons at government level so that they could avail equal opportunities of social activities. She said that holding of Punjab Philanthropy Forum-2015 will help prepare such a framework due to which not only philanthropists but local and international organizations will also come forward to support the government efforts aimed at welfare of the masses. She stressed upon the need to evolve a coordinated system of zakat and charity for the elimination of poverty.

Earlier, Provincial Minister for Zakat and Usher Malik Nadeem Kamran in his welcome address said that more than 21 percent people of the province are living below the poverty line but Punjab government is determined to eliminate poverty line and will soon succeed due to revolutionary measures being taken in this regard. He said that government is introducing such policies on the pattern of Aayeshana Housing Scheme as well directly benefit the poor and deserving persons. He said that zakat and Usher department has launched “Khadim-e-Punjab Rozgar Scheme” under which financial assistance will be provided as qarz-e-hasna to those girl and boy students who want to do their own business after acquiring technical training from vocational training institutes.  He said that philanthropists can deposit their donations and zakat amounts in the account of the department and they can be provided details of the expenditure at any time. He said that amount deposited by non-Muslims into zakat fund will only be spent on education of minorities’ children. He said that Zakat and Usher department is distributing 3.5 billion rupees each every year among deserving persons under the heads of zakat, marriage grant, religious scholarships, educational scholarships, subsistence allowance and blind allowance.

Moreover, Governor Punjab also distributed grant letters of one lakh each among 10 girl and boy students completing technical training from vocational institutes for starting their own business.