Punjab has placed social welfare at the centre of its governance priorities, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif initiating a wide range of programmes aimed at strengthening the province’s social protection framework and improving support for its most vulnerable populations. Targeting persons with disabilities, transgender individuals, women, minorities, children, and the impecunious strata, these programmes represent a significant policy shift towards inclusive development.

The government's strategy is characterised by a multi-sectoral approach, combining direct income support with asset transfers, skills development, and infrastructure improvements. A cornerstone of the new policy is the Himmat Card Programme, a modern social protection instrument designed to provide financial security to persons with disabilities. With a substantial allocation of approximately Rs 2.6 billion, the programme offers quarterly stipends of Rs 10,500. From an initial phase covering 40,000 individuals, the scheme has expanded to reach nearly 65,000 beneficiaries across the province. This direct cash transfer is crucial for enhancing the financial autonomy and dignity of persons with disabilities who often face barriers to formal employment. Complementing this is a large-scale Assistive Devices Distribution Programme, backed by over Rs1 billion. By providing over 17,000 registered individuals with wheelchairs, hearing aids, and artificial limbs, the government is directly addressing mobility and accessibility barriers, enabling greater participation in education, employment, and community life.

The government has also launched targeted........

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