Prime Minister Imran Khan on Monday launched the Ehsaas Riyayat Ration Scheme in the federal capital. Under the programme, the government will provide a monthly subsidy of 30% on basic commodities to 20 million households.

“This is a road map towards Riyasat e Madina. Under this plan, the state has the responsibility to bring the low segment of society forward and lift their standards,” he said while addressing the ceremony in Islamabad.

Under the programme, Rs106 billion would be spent on the provision of subsidies for the poor and middle class on flour, cooking oil, ghee and pulses. Besides that under the Ehsaas Kafalat Scheme, distribution of Rs71 billion of cash assistance would also be started.

In his address, the premier highlighted the importance of education for women. “When you educate a woman, she lifts her whole family. She takes care of their health and also educates,” he said. “Education is a must for women.”

With the same perspective, he claimed that 98% of the Ehsaas financial assistance goes to women. The premier added that girls were the biggest beneficiary of education stipends and scholarships. He stressed the need for investing in women in order to lift the country.

Moreover, he termed stunting “cruelty” as it stops the child from growing in the “race of life.”

The premier added that he would continue to provide relief as the people continue to pay taxes, giving examples of the government’s recent decision to decrease oil and electricity prices.

“Pakistan is still cheapest among many countries of the world,” he said and claimed the government has “provided much bigger subsidy” in order to overcome inflation.

PM Imran said the government’s national health insurance programme was a major step in facilitating the common man in getting free medical treatment. “A month before, the Doctor’s Hospital chief executive in a telephone call told me they had conducted heart transplant on the health card.”

Earlier, Special Assistant to the PM on Social Welfare Senator Sania Nishtar said the Ehsaas programme had completed its “three successful years in line with the principles of transparency.”

Nishtar said the Ehsaas programme continued “without any break” during the pandemic to provide financial support to the deserving segment of society.