In a historic first for Pakistan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has introduced a transparent digital system to provide government assistance to widows and their orphaned children. The initiative, called the “Chief Minister Punjab Rahmat Card,” aims to deliver direct financial support to eligible families efficiently.
Under the program, widows will receive up to Rs100,000, while each orphaned child will get Rs25,000. In its initial phase, the Rahmat Card initiative is expected to benefit over 50,000 vulnerable households, with the official rollout planned immediately after Eid.
Applications can be submitted through multiple channels, including a mobile app, web portal, call center, or the Office of Zakat, making the process accessible and streamlined for citizens. Special Assistant to the CM for Ushr and Zakat, Rashid Nasrullah, provided a detailed briefing on the project’s operation and implementation.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz emphasized that widows should not have to rely on charity but instead receive their rightful support from the state. She stressed that all available resources would be utilized to ensure timely assistance reaches those entitled.
The Rahmat Card program reflects the CM’s vision of empowering widows, enabling them to achieve financial independence and live with dignity. Authorities say the digital system will also reduce delays and ensure transparency in fund distribution, marking a major step toward modernizing social welfare in Punjab.
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