RECORDER REPORT

LAHORE: Chief Minister Sardar Usman Buzdar, while chairing a meeting to review the performance of social welfare department and steps aimed at the welfare of indigent strata, has directed to devise a comprehensive skills development programme to alleviate poverty.

The CM also directed to constitute a special anti-beggary squad to nab the professional beggars in different zones in phases. He further directed to sensitise the people about the institutions providing welfare-related services along with setting up a helpline. A community welfare centre will be established in Lahore for making transgender a useful organ of society, he disclosed. New shelter homes will be functionalized in Gujranwala, Multan, Pakpattan and Jhang while child homes will be established in Attock and Toba Tek Singh for the lost and abandoned children, he said. “A state-of-the-art centre for the treatment of addicts will be set up.”

Talking to a delegation led by the founder of Saylani Welfare Trust Moulana Bashir Farooqui, the CM said the Punjab government was giving special attention to the welfare of weak segments and almonries. Besides panagahs were also being extended in far-flung areas of Punjab to extend help to the poor and helpless people.