Special gift for the differently-abled people, Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif launched Himat Card in a record time-frame. 65 thousand deserving differently-abled persons will be given Rs.10500 after every three months. The Chief Minister announced to change specific Himat card to travel card for the differently- abled people along with providing hearing aids, wheel chairs and artificial limbs to the differently- abled people. She said, “I salute the diffrently- abled people.” The differently- abled people can travel free through the Himmat Card on the Orange Line and on the Metro Buses of Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi. The differently-abled people can use their Himat card as a Travel Card from 15 October across Punjab.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif also announced to increase the number of Himat Cards from 65000. The differently-abled people can also obtain Himat Card by writing a letter to the CM Punjab. The Chief Minister participated in the launching ceremony of Himat Card. The CM asked the differently- abled people to sit beside her on the front seat while the Provincial Ministers, Chief Secretary, Secretaries sat on the seats behind them. The CM distributed Himat Cards among the differently-abled people under the “Chief Minister Himmat Card Programme.”
The Chief Minister also monitored the activation process of Himat Cards. She mingled among the differently-abled people and showed affection towards the children. The differently-abled people expressed great pleasure on seeing CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif among them. A differently-abled child Muhamad Azeem expressed gratitude to CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Muhammad Azeem also presented a portrait being made with a pencil to CM Punjab. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif expressed thanks to him. Muhammad Azeem said that ‘CM Himmat Card’ is not less than a blessing for us. We are not alone as Punjab government and Social Welfare Department also support us. CM Punjab on the wish of differently-abled people had a group photo with them. She also inspected the Himat Card Registration Desk.
CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif while delivering a comprehensive address in the launching ceremony of Himat Card said, “The Punjab government is giving Himat Cards to such differently-abled persons who lack the strength to earn their livelihood by getting out of their houses. The differently-abled people will no longer be a burden on the society and on their families after obtaining the Himat Card. I commend Provincial Minister Sohail Shoukat, Secretary, DG and his team on providing assistance in the issuance of Himat Card. The differently-abled people possess the strength more than all of us. They do not give up hope, courage and patience despite facing hardships and distress. The differently-abled people can enrol themselves in the Himat Card Program by writing a letter to CM Punjab and Social Welfare Department. An amount of Rs.10500 is not much for three months but anyhow they can get some sort of facility and financial assistance. We will also provide artificial limbs to the differently-abled people. The differently-abled people are in fact the test of rulers and the society. I will do whatever I can to mitigate the distress and difficulties of the differently-abled people. I felt surprised over seeing the ability of differently-abled youth for making sketches despite being deprived of their arms and legs.”
The Chief Minister said, “I invite the people to think that the country only progresses during the tenure of PML-N. The grievances of the poor and deserving are redressed during the tenure of PML-N. The national economy also progresses during the tenure of PML-N. When roads, over head bridges, under passes are built and when metro bus and orange train projects are launched then it is the tenure of PML-N. Motorways, express ways, ring roads and other road infrastructures are also built during the tenure of PML-N. The rupee become stables and price-hike comes down during the tenure of PML-N. The national economy and business also progresses during the tenure of PML-N. Patriotism among every segment of society also come to surface during the tenure of PML-N. Owing to criminal negligence of inefficient and inept rulers during the last 4-5 years, inflation reached up to 38 percent. Today, the percentage of inflation has come down to 6.9 percent. During the previous tenure, a bread used to be obtained at Rs.25 and today, the price of bread is Rs.14-15. The PML-N government does not progress by moving a magical wand rather it ponders about providing ease and comfort to the people and undertakes policies for the benefit of the nation. The PML-N government makes sincere strives for reducing inflation, construction of roads and cleanliness. I monitor and check prices of essential edibles along with cleanliness arrangements daily. In KPK the price of bread has gone up to Rs.25 and no one cares about it. I am first Pakistani and then Punjabi. My heart also beats for the people of KPK and other provinces. Those who stop others from doing constructive work and indulge into spreading anarchy and chaos are in fact mentally paralyzed. Creating chaos and unrest after every other day impedes provision of service to the people. Those who make the life of people difficult are in fact a burden on our country. They should spend the money on the welfare of people of KPK instead of invading other provinces. If KPK is ours then Punjab also belongs to them. People from KPK are doing business in every city of Punjab. Those invading Punjab are in fact attacking their own people.”
A documentary film titled “Hope and Success Journey” was presented in the launching ceremony of Himat Card. The documentary film was being presented by the Bank of Punjab in order to highlight various constructive steps of the Punjab government including Himat Card Project. Provincial Minister for Social Welfare Sohail Shaukat Butt apprised about the Himat Card Program in his key note address. The national anthem was also presented for the differently-abled children in their sign language during the ceremony. The proceedings of the ceremony for the differently-abled people was presented in their sign language. Rana Muhammad Adeel belonging to Gujrat obtained the first Himat Card. CM Maryam Nawaz Sharif activated the Himmat Card.
Senator Pervez Rashid, Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb, Provincial Minister for Information & Culture Azma Zahid Bokhari, Provincial Ministers Sohail Shoukat Butt, Chaudhry Shafay Hussain, Sher Ali Gorchani, Faisal Khokhar, Special Assistants Zeeshan Malik, Rashid Nasrullah, MPA Sania Ashiq, Chief Secretary Zahid Akhtar Zaman, President Punjab Bank, Secretary Social Welfare Mehmood Akhtar, DG Social Welfare Sikandar Zeeshan, Secretaries and other relevant officials were also present in the launching ceremony.