ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: A total of 18,629 minority individuals have been provided financial assistance worth Rs 77.208 million during the last five years, the National Assembly was told.
In a written reply on Friday, the Minister for Religious Affairs and Inter-faith Harmony Mufti Abdul Shakoor apprised the House that 4,509 minority members received Rs 22.24 million as financial assistance in 2017-18, 3,315 individuals received Rs 12.046 million in 2018-19, 4,126 individuals received Rs 15.935 million in 2019-20, 3,815 individuals received Rs 13.257 million in 2020-21, and 3,044 individuals received Rs 13.730 million in 2021-22.
The House was told that under Section 15 of the Accounting Procedure for the Special Fund for the Welfare and Uplift of Minorities” duly approved by the Finance Division and Auditor General of Pakistan, the financial assistance is disbursed to the needy individuals as per the following criteria;
The applications, prescribed Proforma along with a valid copy of CNICs for financial assistance from widows/ needy individuals of minorities will be recommended by one of the following and submitted to the minority MNAs/ Senators/ Minister for RA&IH;
- Member Provincial Assembly
- District Coordination Officer
- Member, National Commission for Minorities
- Member, District Minority Committee
- Member, Local Officer of E.T.P.B
- Member of Church Committee/ Hindu Panchayats & Other religious Committees/ Organizations.
It was further apprised that after scrutiny, the MNA/ Senator will forward applications to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony in Islamabad with his approval.
It was added that the cases of only those widows/needy individuals shall be recommended who are found suitable for grant of financial assistance.
