By Our Correspondent
LAHORE: Secretary Human Rights and Minority Affairs (HR&MA) Punjab, Mr. Farid Ahmed Tarrar, chaired an important review meeting at his camp office on Thursday regarding the ongoing implementation and progress of the Chief Minister Punjab Minority Card initiative.
During the meeting, the Bank of Punjab (BoP) presented a detailed briefing on the current status of card distribution. The Bank shared the latest statistics regarding:Cards printed, Cards dispatched to bank branches, Cards received at respective branches and Cards delivered to Deputy Commissioner Offices.
The Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) provided an updated overview of the digital dashboard and data management system that reflects the end-to-end status of the Chief Minister Punjab Minority Card Program. PITB’s platform continues to play a vital role in monitoring eligibility, issuance, and grievance redressal processes in real time.
Representatives from NADRA, BISP, PSPA, and other agencies discussed their collaborative roles in verifying beneficiary data, aligning socio-economic indicators, and ensuring that the program reaches the most deserving families in the minority communities.
In his remarks, Secretary HR&MA Farid Ahmed Tarrar emphasized the significance of interdepartmental coordination and real-time data sharing for the success of this flagship initiative. He issued directives to all departments to expedite their processes, ensure transparency, and maintain accuracy in data reporting and service delivery.
The Chief Minister Punjab Minority Card is not merely a financial assistance tool, it is a recognition of the state’s commitment to social equity and religious inclusion,” stated Mr. Tarrar.
Highlighting the program’s expansion, he proudly shared that the number of beneficiary families has been increased from 50,000 to 75,000, and the program’s total budget has been raised to Rs. 3.5 billion, a historic milestone in the realm of minority welfare in Punjab.
The Secretary reaffirmed the government’s resolve to empower underprivileged minority households by providing them with direct financial support through a transparent and digitized mechanism.
The meeting was attended by Additional Secretary HR&MA Ms. Rizwana Naveed, Deputy Secretary Minorities Ms. Aysha Yaseen, and representatives from the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB), Bank of Punjab, Punjab Social Protection Authority (PSPA), National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP), and other relevant stakeholders.
