LAHORE: The Punjab government will rehabilitate the individuals rendered unemployed during the anti-encroachment drive across the province.

Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Monday ordered restoration of small businesses impacted by the government’s anti-encroachment campaign.

She asked the officials concerned to review the measures for the rehabilitation of small businesses and vendors hit during the drive.

“The removal of encroachments is essential for smooth traffic flow. The government’s anti-encroachment drive is not intended to leave the common man unemployed, and no one’s livelihood should be taken away under any circumstance,” she said and added that alternative

spaces would be provided for those affected by the anti-encroachment drive in every city. The arrangements for providing employment to the affectees were being reviewed, she added.

DEVICES: The Punjab government has also launched a project to provide assistive devices to the differently-abled persons in the province.

“Wheelchairs will be provided free of cost to special people deprived of mobility to facilitate their movement. Special hearing aids will be provided to those with impaired hearing,” she said and added provision of hearing aids would increase hearing and speaking ability of these people.

Applications for the assistive devices can be submitted online through portal adwc.punjab.gov.pk, for which CNIC of the person concerned, a form and a disability certificate issued by the District Disability Assessment Board will be required.

Published in Dawn, February 11th, 2025