Tag: underprivileged

  • KP govt limits Health Card benefits, shifts focus to fiscal sustainability

    KP govt limits Health Card benefits, shifts focus to fiscal sustainability

    The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) caretaker government, under the leadership of caretaker Chief Minister Muhammad Azam Khan, recently convened a significant cabinet meeting. During this gathering, attended by cabinet members, the chief secretary, additional chief secretary, and administrative secretaries, the pivotal topic of discussion was the Health Card scheme.

    During a press conference, Advisor to the Chief Minister on Health, Riaz Anwar, said that due to escalating expenses, the full benefits of the Health Card scheme would now be exclusively available to beneficiaries of the Benazir Income Support Programme. The financial liability associated with the scheme had surged from Rs30 billion to Rs39 billion, leading to a proposal to potentially discontinue the programme.

    The cabinet subsequently approved a set of reforms for the Health Card initiative. Under these reforms, individuals with an income of up to Rs37,000 will be required to cover 25 per cent of their medical expenses. This contribution will be calculated based on data from the Benazir Income Support Programme, ensuring that those with higher incomes contribute to their healthcare costs.

    While the poor and underprivileged will continue to receive free healthcare services, access to free facilities at the emergency ward will be extended to everyone. Importantly, it was clarified that the Health Card programme itself would not be terminated; instead, it would persist in serving the underprivileged.

    According to Samaa, this shift in focus is a response to budgetary constraints, as the expenses of KP’s Health Card programme rose from Rs30 billion to Rs39 billion.

  • Dar stresses on providing maximum relief to the underprivileged sector of society

    Dar stresses on providing maximum relief to the underprivileged sector of society

    Minister for Finance and Revenue Ishaq Dar urged the Ministry of Industries and Production on Saturday to develop a comprehensive strategy that would prioritise providing maximum relief to the least endowed sector.

    Dar, who was chairing a meeting to examine the prime minister’s relief package through Utility Stores Corporation (USC), said the current government was aware of the difficulties confronting the underprivileged section of society, which required maximal relief support.

    He went on to say that the government’s primary goal was to help the poor and that it was doing everything it could to help them.

    The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Industries and Production Makhdoom Syed Murtaza Mehmood, SAPM for Finance Tariq Bajwa, SAPM for Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Finance, Secretary Industries and Production, MD USC, and senior authorities.

    The chair was informed about the PM’s relief package and subsidy on five vital products (pulses, wheat, sugar, rice, and ghee) granted by the USC to help the public.

    It was revealed that subsidised flour, sugar, rice, ghee, and pulses were being distributed to the populace across the country. The meeting also considered the financial ramifications of the subsidies.

    The finance minister also met with Federal Communications Minister Asad Mehmood here at the Finance Division.

    Financial SAPM The meeting was attended by Tariq Bajwa, SAPM on Revenue Tariq Pasha, Secretary Finance, Secretary Communications, Chairman NHA, IG Motorway, and top officers.

    Asad Mehmood informed the finance minister of the financial status of various Communication Ministry agencies, including Motorway Police, Pakistan Post, and NHA.

    He also emphasised the organisations’ contributions to the country’s success and development.

    While acknowledging the contribution of the Ministry of Communication and its affiliated organisations to the country’s economic stability and progress, the finance minister stated that the current government was aware that a well-integrated communication network was critical for the country’s socioeconomic development and financial stability.

    According to APP, Dar also informed the communications minister that he would handle and resolve the concerns of the Communication Ministry’s organisations in order for them to perform better and contribute to Pakistan’s prosperity and development.