KP govt to launch loan scheme for differently-abled persons

PESHAWAR: The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has announced the launch of the Ehsaas Loan Programme, a Rs500 million initiative aimed at economically empowering differently-abled persons. This was revealed by Malik Liaquat Ali Khan, Advisor to KP Chief Minister on Social Welfare and Zakat and Ushr, during a KhuliKachehri (open forum) attended by differently-abled individuals in Swabi. Khan also unveiled the Ehsaas Scholarship Programme, with a budget of Rs700 million, specifically for differently-abled students.

The Ehsaas Loan Programme, set to be incorporated into the Annual Development Programme (ADP) for the current fiscal year, will provide interest-free loans to persons with disabilities under lenient terms, facilitating the establishment of businesses and generation of steady income to attain economic self-reliance. Khan announced the upcoming inauguration of the EhsaasUmeed Card Programme, under which 10,000 persons with disabilities will receive a monthly stipend of Rs5,000.

He added that a similar card-based initiative would be introduced for orphans and widows, with beneficiaries eligible to receive Rs5,000 per month.

Khan clarified that all financial assistance would be directly deposited into the bank accounts of eligible beneficiaries, eliminating the need for them to visit government offices for registration. Registration facilities would instead be made available at their doorstep. In addition to the Ehsaas Loan Programme, Khan announced financial support of Rs50,000 for an elderly individual with a disability, and instructed relevant authorities to promptly address the issues faced by persons with disabilities.

Furthermore, Khan announced a special quota for persons with disabilities within the Dowry Fund to alleviate the financial hardships encountered by them and their families.