Punjab Introduces Digital Support System for Widows and Orphans with ‘Rehmat Card’

Lahore: In a first-of-its-kind initiative in Pakistan, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz has approved a transparent digital system to provide government support for widows and their orphaned children.

Under this initiative, the provincial government has decided to introduce the “Chief Minister Punjab Rehmat Card”, aimed at financially assisting widows and children who have lost parental care.

According to officials, eligible families will receive direct financial assistance of up to Rs100,000 through the program. In the first phase, the Rehmat Card will support more than 50,000 vulnerable households across Punjab, with the formal launch planned immediately after Eid al-Fitr.

Under the scheme, widowed women will receive Rs100,000, while orphaned children will be given Rs25,000 each. Beneficiaries will be able to apply for the Rehmat Card through a mobile application, a dedicated web portal, a call center, or via the Office of Zakat.

Special Assistant for Ushr and Zakat Rashid Nasrullah briefed the chief minister on the details of the project.

Speaking on the occasion, Maryam Nawaz said that widows in Punjab should not be forced to rely on charity, adding that it is the state’s responsibility to ensure they receive dignified support as their rightful entitlement. She emphasized that provincial resources belong to the people and every effort will be made to ensure that assistance reaches those who truly deserve it.

The chief minister added that the Rehmat Card initiative aims to help widowed women move toward self-employment and financial independence, enabling them and their children to live with dignity.