Punjab Social Protection Authority launched Khidmat Card in December 2015 providing unconditional cash assistance to the poor and vulnerable persons with disabilities in Punjab. Since then, the Khidmat Card has been well recognized as a flagship payment instrument of Punjab which has over 600,000 beneficiaries enrolled for three different programs under its banner; Zewar-e-Taleem Program (conditional cash transfer) for girls studying in elementary and secondary public sector schools in 16 districts with low literacy rate, Cash Transfer for Brick Kiln Workers/Children (conditional) and unconditional cash transfer for the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs).
Keeping in consideration the mandate of PSPA, it has been entrusted with the responsibility to coordinate and implement “Punjab Ehsaas Program” announced by the Prime Minister of Pakistan. Furthermore, two new programs namely Human Capital Investment Project (HCIP) and Women Income Generation and Self-reliance Program (WINGS) are in the pipeline which would also be administered by PSPA. Therefore, magnitude of payment disbursement is expected to be increased multifold with launching of new initiatives. In this regard, PSPA has signed an agreement with The Bank of Punjab on Feb 26, 2020 for cash disbursement of social protection initiatives of PSPA. Ali Asjad Malhi, Vice Chairperson PSPA, graced the occasion.