Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Zero Line Kartarpur Sharif In Kheti Sahib to officially inaugurate ‘Besakhi’ festival by harvesting the golden crop of wheat with a golden sickle.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif visited Pak Darshan Deodhi. Sikh pilgrims welcomed Madam Chief Minister on reaching Pak Darshan. Sikh women warmly greeted Madam Chief Minister with folded hands. Sikh youths performed traditional gatka. Madam Chief Minister also visited Sarovar (Holy Pond), Samadhi (Prayer Hall), Guru Ghar and had darshan of Sangat.
She was briefed about the Facilitation Center. Indian Sikh Jatha leader appreciated Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif’s initiatives and arrangements. He thanked her for the love and care, and said, “We all are proud of daughter of Punjab becoming the Chief Minister.” President Delhi Goroband Committee Raminder Singh Bumrah draped Sarupa (shawl) on Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. Diljit Singh Sarnan presented Kirpan and other gifts to Madam Chief Minister. Sarupa (Shawl) and gifts were also presented to Senior Minister Marriyum Aurangzeb.
At Samadhi, the granthi head started the ceremony with a prayer. Provincial Minister for Minorities Ramesh Singh Arora welcomed the Chief Minister. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif greeted the Sikh delegation and inspected the holy well. She also visited the Sikh Art Gallery. Madam Chief Minister sat and ate food with the pilgrims at the Sikh Langar Hall. She was entertained with boiled rice, curry pakoras, groundnut dal, sweet rice, roti and pickles. Madam Chief Minister appreciated the quality of food, and interacted with the pilgrims in the Langar Hall. She also invited Sikh pilgrims to visit Punjab.
Meanwhile, the chief minister has directed official concerned to compile authentic data of special persons. She was chairing a special meeting to have a detailed briefing on Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department. She announced issuance of “Himmat Card” and “Nigehban Card” for special persons.
She also announced the launch a loan scheme for persons with disabilities who are eligible to work. She said, “Special individuals will be given a loan of Rs 1 to 2 lakh for financial independence.”
The chief minister decided to provide wheelchairs and other assistive devices to disabled persons. Recommendations for the formation of Women Protection Authority Task Force was considered in the meeting. She approved the establishment of VAWC centers in each division for the prevention of violence against women. The proposal to establish drug rehabilitation centers in each division was also reviewed.
A proposal to make Skills Development Centers in Lahore, Multan and Faisalabad operational, besides establishing them in other districts, and an audit proposal for the NGOs working for special persons were reviewed in the meeting. The CM sought a report on the implementation of ban on ramps and special persons’ bathrooms in government buildings. She said, “Bathrooms and ramps for disabled people must be made mandatory in every new government building.” She gave approval for the digitization of Social Welfare and Baitul Maal Department.