Shelter Homes is a step forward toward establishing a Medina-like welfare state in the country. The government will soon launch a comprehensive poverty alleviation program”, Imran Khan at the groundbreaking ceremony of Shelter Homes in Lahore.
Lahore is a metropolitan city and is known to be the “Heart of Pakistan”. It is the capital of Province Punjab as well as the second-largest city after Karachi. Lahore is famous for its old and ancient buildings, the Lahori Khabay, and in addition the Shrine of Hazrat Data Gunj Bakhsh.
Similarly, after Karachi, Lahore is the economic hub of Pakistan. People from all over the Punjab and other districts come here to earn a good livelihood. They stay here and earn money to make up the needs of their families. The majority of the people live in slums. Others end up on footpaths, shrines, and greenbelts of the roads. In fact, it is a heartbreaking situation to see the citizens on roads.
PM’s Vision Towards Medina-Like State
Prime Minister Imran Khan had a clear vision for these inhabitants who live on footpaths and greenbelts. He had a pain for the people who end up on roads and have to survive hand to mouth. After taking oath in August 2018, he immediately ordered to build shelter homes (Panah Gah) for the people who have to live in those circumstances that are unbearable in civilized society.
He, the Prime Minister. has a clear vision and has pledged to turn Pakistan into a social welfare state like Medina. On November 10, 2018, along with Chief Minister Punjab Mr. Usman Buzdar, Imran Khan laid the foundation stone of Pakistan’s first shelter home in Lahore to overcome the problems of poor and homeless people.
As a matter of fact, this initiative of setting shelter homes for homeless people is a magnificent effort towards the betterment of people. It is applauded by many significant people including Faisal Edhi, son of the Great Humanitarian Mr. Abdul Sattar Edhi, and the chairman of the Edhi Foundation.
He said, “It is a great step. Governments in the past never responded to the needs of homeless people. I appreciate Prime Minister Imran Khan for taking steps to address their plight”.
(Source: Al Arabia English)
At first, there are five shelter homes in Lahore that are operational and allow homeless people to live with respect. Each of the shelter homes has the capacity to handle 100 men and women at a time.
Get to know the information of District Govt Offices and their Development initiatives
Facilities in Shelter Homes
People living in shelter homes are having the facility of breakfast and dinner too along with the shelter. This is a marvelous and encouraging thing from this government.
The people who were homeless and used to sleep on roads, shrines, or footpaths are now having a proper shelter. They sleep with blankets and warm clothes in winter. The homeless people who are utilizing this facility are very happy and praise the government’s initiative for the poor.
The shelter to live has reduced many tensions among the homeless people. If someone wants to see some happiness on their faces, one must pay a visit to the Panah Gah and spend some time while talking to them.
This project has helped to restore the self-respect of the people who were homeless. It allowed them to sleep and stay with respect and dignity.
The spokesperson of the Punjab Government said, “The objective behind establishing shelter homes is to restore self-respect of homeless people who spend the night under the open sky. It is also aimed at broadening the circle of social responsibility by the state and citizens.”
(Source: Al Arabia English)
The government is serious to expand this initiative all over the country. Two shelter homes have been opened in Islamabad Capital Territory and four shelter homes are operational in Peshawar, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
Expanding Shelter Homes Project to Other Parts of Pakistan
Buzdar Government is determined to develop shelter homes near the DHQ Hospitals. The Government has ordered the building of shelter homes in new Hospital projects. Buzdar said that the projects like shelter homes will strengthen the dream of Imran Khan to turn Pakistan into a Medina like welfare state.
Despite its popularity in poor and homeless people, the opposition parties in Parliament are playing politics. On this matter, many controversies are on roll. Amid all the controversies, the Government is ready to set up more shelter homes in Lahore. So the Lahoris might not have to stay under the sky at night.
“Our Government is paying full attention to the public welfare projects”, Khan said. “Pakistan will emerge as a social welfare model state among the Muslim world very soon.”
