Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has directed the authorities concerned to start payment through Himmat Cards – a facility for differently abled people – by September 15.

“Special people are very special to us,” she said at an MoU signing ceremony between the Department of Social Welfare and the Bank of Punjab for the issuance of Himmat Cards to 65,000 differently abled people across the province, through which Rs10,500 would be paid to them every quarter.

The MoU was signed by Social Welfare Secretary Javed Akhtar Mahmood and Bank of Punjab President Zafar Masood.

“The care of deserving special persons is the responsibility of the state,” Maryam said.

Officials informed her that cards would be issued to 40,000 people in phase-I and to 25,000 people in phase-II. They added that a 30 per cent quota has been reserved for women. Moreover, a dedicated helpline 1312 has been set up for their assistance.