KP adviser announces expanded welfare initiatives for PWDs, vulnerable groups

MANSEHRA, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 24th Jul, 2026) Adviser to the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa on Zakat and Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Development, Malik Liaqat Khan on Friday said the provincial government was committed to empowering Persons With Disabilities (PWDs) and other vulnerable segments of society through expanded welfare programmes, strict implementation of the Disability Act and improved access to social protection services.

Addressing an open court after inspecting the Social Welfare Complex here, the adviser said he was visiting welfare institutions across the province on the directives of the Chief Minister to assess public issues firsthand and ensure their prompt resolution.

He directed officials to provide employment opportunities for women residing in Dar-ul-Aman shelters and ensure that wheelchairs, tricycles, sewing machines and other assistive devices were distributed strictly on merit under a transparent mechanism.

Malik Liaqat announced that the Panah Gah at King Abdullah Teaching Hospital would be further upgraded, vocational centres for PWDs would be activated, and technical education centres would be affiliated with the Technical board to enhance skills development and employment opportunities for youth.

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He also directed District Zakat Officers to conduct doorstep registration of PWDs at the Union Council and Village Council levels.

He said the government planned to establish sports complexes for PWDs at divisional headquarters, introduced a laptop scheme, strengthen artificial limb centres and enforce the mandatory two percent employment quota for PWDs in government departments. He added that the Ehsaas Card Programme would soon be relaunched and deserving members of minority communities would also benefit from Zakat funds.

Earlier, District Social Welfare Officer, Saira Mushtaq briefed the adviser on the department's performance, ongoing development projects and welfare initiatives in Mansehra. Secretary Social Welfare Sharif Hussain, Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaaf leader, Kamal Saleem Swati, departmental officers and local dignitaries were also present at the event.