Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has launched a landmark initiative to support persons with disabilities by providing them with assistive devices — a first-of-its-kind project in the province.
During the launch ceremony, CM Maryam announced that assistive equipment worth Rs1 billion, including artificial limbs, hearing aids, wheelchairs, and mobility aids, will be distributed free of charge to eligible individuals across Punjab.
“Support will be tailored to each individual’s specific needs, offering a range of manual and electric wheelchairs, tricycles, walking frames, rollators, mobile toilet chairs, and advanced hearing aids,” she said. Over 300 people with disabilities from various districts attended the event.
Highlighting a breakthrough, CM Maryam revealed that Punjab is the first province in Pakistan to introduce rehabilitation through bionic technology, enabling artificial limbs to respond to brain signals. She also instructed that special ramps be built in all government buildings and confirmed that field hospitals have installed elevators for improved accessibility.
She urged individuals with physical impairments to register via the Social Welfare Department’s portal, ensuring that assistive devices can be delivered directly to their homes.
Additionally, CM Maryam announced the launch of Pakistan’s largest ration card programme on May 1, under which 1.25 million families will receive Rs10,000 each.
She also highlighted the ongoing ‘Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar’ housing scheme, stating that 30,000 houses are being built in just five months — a stark contrast to previous governments, which she said failed to build even 3,000. The goal is to construct 100,000 houses by year’s end, with free three-marla plots allotted to those without land.
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