KP govt steps up efforts to expand shelter homes: Shafi Jan

PESHAWAR, Sep 09 (APP):Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Information Minister Shafi Jan on Wednesday said the provincial government was taking practical steps to make shelters and shelter homes more effective and far-reaching, so that no needy person, traveler or helpless individual feels alone in times of hardship.

In a statement, he said the responsibility of the state was not limited to development projects alone, but also included standing by those who need help at difficult turns in life.

Highlighting the notable progress of the shelters and shelter homes sector, the minister said that out of four schemes, three were under implementation while one was at the planning stage.

 He said 11 shelter homes were currently functional across 10 districts of the province, with a combined approved capacity of 674 persons.

He said that 508,620 individuals had benefited from the shelter homes since their inception, of whom 421,420 had availed the facility during the past 10 months alone.

The minister said shelter homes at Torkham and Angor Adda were both operational, with a combined approved capacity of 100 persons, and 24,041 individuals had benefited from them since their launch.

He added that free overnight accommodation and meals were being provided to the needy at these facilities.

Shafi Jan said schemes for shelter homes at DHQ Hospital Bajaur and DHQ Hospital North Waziristan were under way, while a new scheme to establish shelter homes on a permanent basis in major cities was at the planning stage.

He said these facilities were a source of hope, protection and humanity for helpless people seeking a safe place to spend the night during travel, medical treatment or other compulsions.

 He added that the true hallmark of a welfare state was that it holds the hand of the weak and needy and makes them feel that they are not alone in society.