Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: On Wednesday, Prime Minister Imran Khan, in a soft launch broke the ground for the new model Panagahs (shelter homes) being built in Islamabad Capital Territory with improved standards and structure.

On the special instructions of the Prime Minister, the four new Panagahs are being built in Tarlai, Tarnol, G-9 and Mandi More areas of Islamabad adjacent to the existing facilities.

At the event, the Prime Minister also unveiled the final plans of these multistoried Panagahs to be constructed.

He lauded Ehsaas team, Capital Development Authority (CDA), National College of Arts (NCA) and all concerned for their collaborative efforts and instructed to ensure the speedy execution of new model Panagahs.

The Prime Minister underlined the importance of providing quality food and services at the Panagahs.

He directed the concerned departments to provide Ehsaas services at the Panagahs and also emphasized providing skill development training at the Panagahs enabling the residents to become contributing citizens in the society.

The Prime Minister appreciated the collective efforts of the concerned departments and directed them to replicate the model in the provinces on the same line.

Earlier, Senator Dr. Sania Nishtar, SAPM briefed the Prime Minister on the Panagahs’ new strategic plan including construction, furnishing, governance, execution, digital monitoring, capacity building and financing.

“In addition to ‘bed breakfast and meals’ facilities for laborers, these Panagahs will also have Ehsaas One Window Centers, to enable laborers and the underprivileged class to benefit from the government’s social welfare programs.”, said Dr. Sania.

CDA has given land on concessional rates to the Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Division for this purpose after Cabinet approval.

At the venue, samples of furniture and fixtures for new Panagahs to be used in model Panagahs were also displayed.

Earlier, the Prime Minister also unveiled the plaque and the new model of Panagah. To redesign the structure of model Panagah and furniture, Ehsaas has collaborated with the National College of Arts (NCA) Lahore.

The new Panagah design incorporates the bigger kitchen, cold storage, reception, lobby, waiting areas, and an enhanced capacity to offer food and shelter to those in need.

To offer the best lodging and quality food to Panagah beneficiaries, Ehsaas and Serena Hotels are already collaborating.

In the first phase, staff and occupants of all Panagahs in Islamabad are being trained on hospitality, food safety and hygiene, health safety and environment, and housekeeping, exercising regular monitoring of amenities.

So far, Ehsaas has opened 27 Panagahs in different areas of the country including 5 in Sindh, 8 in KP, 7 in Balochistan, 5 in Islamabad and 1 each in GB and Punjab.

Under the umbrella of Ehsaas, Panagahs offer one star plus bed and breakfast facility with meals, essentials, hygiene, laundry and security standards. Each Panagah serves free meals to around 500 people and offers the 100-bed facility for overnight stay.