Punjab CM unveils support project for quake affectees
Bureau Report

LAHORE—Punjab Chief Minister Ch. Pervaiz Elahi has announced “Support-A-Family Project” for the relief and rehabilitation of earthquake- affected people on sustainable basis.
The project will be implemented with the mutual cooperation of Punjab government, overseas Pakistanis, local and foreign welfare organizations as well as well-to-do individuals.
He was addressing a Press conference at Muslim League House her on Wednesday.
Elaborating the project, the chief minister said that it aimed at provision of short and long-term relief to at least 1,00000 calamity-stricken families.
He said the government would get in touch with expatriate Pakistanis and, philanthropists from abroad, welfare organizations and Pakistani citizens for seeking financial support for one or more than one affected families.
“Under the programme, every affected family will get Rs. 6000 monthly, while those who will sponsor a family will have to spend Rs. 72000 or about 1200$ annually.
The chief minister said treatment facilities to the injured persons and construction of houses for the shelter less was also among the objectives of the project, adding that an autonomous body would also be set up for acting upon the project.
He said this institution would be registered as a society under the patronage of government while, well-known personalities would also be inducted in its board.
He said Punjab government would bear the administrative expenditures of this institution, so that every penny of financial assistance should go to the deserving persons. He said in order to ensure transparency in the financial matters; its accounts could be placed on the website.
He announced sponsorship of five families on his own behalf and five by Ruling Party PML chief Ch. Shujaat Hussain to inaugurate Support-A-Family project. He expressed hope that overseas Pakistanis across the world, welfare organizations and philanthropists would extend their full cooperation to the Punjab government in the rehabilitation programme of the earthquake-affected people.
A large number of ministers, senators, assembly members, PML office-bearers and participants also announced support for the affected families under this project.