PESHAWAR, (APP – UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News – 3rd Sep, 2026) Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister’s Adviser for Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment Malik Liaquat Ali Khan on Thursday announced measures to establish a Special Education and Social Welfare Complex in Khyber district and expand welfare facilities for persons with disabilities and other vulnerable segments.
Addressing an open court at the Jirga Hall in Jamrud during his visit to Khyber district, the adviser said the government was committed to taking social welfare services to the doorsteps of deserving people and resolving their problems through practical measures rather than limiting assistance to financial support.
The open court was attended by Social Welfare Officer Khyber Abdul Hadi, District Zakat Chairman Shabbir and the Chief Minister’s focal person Shamsher, besides other relevant officials.
The adviser listened to complaints and suggestions from persons with disabilities, orphans, widows and other deserving citizens and issued directives for the resolution of their issues.
Malik Liaquat said 272 persons with disabilities in Khyber had so far been provided financial assistance of Rs30,000 each, while eligible persons with disabilities would receive Rs5,000 per month under the Umeed Card programme.
He said 247 orphan children and 414 widows were also receiving monthly assistance of Rs5,000 each, while deserving students had been provided Zakat scholarships.
He said district social welfare officials had been directed to conduct door-to-door registration and verification of deserving people instead of restricting their activities to offices. A comprehensive database of persons with disabilities was also being developed to identify their needs and formulate welfare programmes accordingly.
The adviser said the proposed social welfare and special education complex in Khyber would provide facilities including special education, vocational training and other social welfare services. Similar facilities would also be considered for Bajaur and other districts where such institutions were unavailable.
He said the government would seek expansion of these facilities under the ADP 2027-28, adding that deficiencies in existing welfare institutions, including buildings, staff, training programmes and other essential facilities, would also be addressed.
Malik Liaquat stressed that the government’s ultimate objective was to make deserving people self-reliant rather than permanently dependent on Zakat or financial assistance.
He said persons with disabilities, women, men, orphans and widows would be provided vocational training in carpet weaving, stitching and embroidery, handicrafts, information technology and other skills to enable them to earn respectable livelihoods.
He also announced measures to resolve transportation problems faced by persons with disabilities in Khyber, saying improved mobility was essential for their access to education, healthcare, training and other basic services.
“Persons with disabilities are not a burden on society; they are a talented and productive part of it,” he said, adding that providing them with education, skills and equal opportunities could enable them to contribute to their families as well as the national economy.
The adviser said the government was working towards a welfare system in which people would be empowered to stand on their own feet through skills and employment. “I am your advocate and I am here for you,” he told persons with disabilities, assuring them that every possible step would be taken to address their legitimate problems.
During his visit, Malik Liaquat Ali Khan also received a detailed briefing on the Child Protection Unit in Jamrud and reviewed its performance, facilities and challenges.
Officials briefed him about measures for the protection, care, rehabilitation and welfare of children, particularly those facing violence, exploitation, neglect or other risks.
The adviser said timely identification, protection and rehabilitation of vulnerable children were essential for securing their future. He directed officials to ensure prompt action on complaints involving children, effective monitoring and provision of necessary support.
He further directed that orphaned, abandoned and vulnerable children should be linked with available social welfare services, including education, care and rehabilitation facilities.
Malik Liaquat said protecting children from violence, exploitation and neglect was a collective responsibility and called for further strengthening the child protection mechanism to ensure a safe and secure environment for children across the province.
