The Punjab government has introduced the Himmat Card, a new initiative designed to support vulnerable groups across the province. Each eligible cardholder will receive a quarterly payment of Rs. 10,500 to assist with their financial needs.
The launch was formalized through an agreement between the Department of Social Welfare and the Bank of Punjab, with Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in attendance. This initiative highlights the government’s commitment to aiding those who need it most.
The Bank of Punjab is set to issue ATM cards to 65,000 individuals, with distribution occurring in two phases. The first phase will provide cards to 40,000 people, while the second phase will cover an additional 25,000. Payments are expected to start in mid-September, following the verification process.
To qualify for the Himmat Card, individuals with disabilities must meet specific criteria. They must be certified by the Social Welfare Department of Punjab as unfit for physical labor and should not be currently employed.
They must also not have received recent grants from organizations such as Bait ul Maal, Zakat Fund, Punjab Social Protection Authority, or the Benazir Income Support Programme. Additionally, their Poverty Means Testing score from BISP should not exceed 37, and their personal information, including CNIC, address, mobile number, education, and experience, must be updated in the Disability Persons Management Information System.
Eligible individuals can apply for the Himmat Card online by visiting the Social Welfare Department’s official portal at https://swd.punjab.gov.pk/himmatcard.
This initiative is a major step towards empowering special individuals in Punjab, providing them with the financial support they need to improve their quality of life. Through the Himmat Card, the Punjab government is ensuring that thousands of people with disabilities have the resources to meet their basic needs.
