Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif inaugurated Pakistan’s first “Chief Minister Minority Card” during a ceremony held at the Aiwan-e-Iqbal Complex. The groundbreaking initiative aims to provide financial support to minority families across the province.

Under the program, 50,000 minority families will receive Rs. 10,500 every three months, with plans to expand the number of beneficiaries to 75,000 in the future. The initiative is part of the government’s broader efforts to uplift minority communities and ensure their inclusion in social welfare programs.

In addition to the minority card, the Punjab government has increased festival grants for minorities from Rs. 10,000 to Rs. 15,000. The annual development budget for minority communities has also been raised by 60%, reflecting the government’s commitment to improving their quality of life.

During the ceremony, CM Maryam Nawaz distributed the minority cards to recipients and personally observed a transaction made at an ATM using Sonia Bibi’s card, demonstrating the program’s functionality. Religious leaders, including Bishop Nadeem Kamran, Sardar Saranjit Singh, and Pandit Lal, offered prayers for the success of the initiative.

Ramesh Singh Arora, the Provincial Minister for Minority Affairs, expressed his gratitude in Punjabi, thanking the Chief Minister for her dedication to addressing the needs of minority communities. He praised the program as a significant step toward improving the lives of marginalized groups in Punjab.