Lahore, May 22 (TNS): Social Welfare Department has started project for the establishment of 5 PannahGahs in Lahore. Scheme was approved with a cost of Rs 345.751 million. Out of which Rs 296 million is allocated to LDA for the construction of 5 buildings and remaining 49.751 million is allocated for the salary of staff for a period of 15 months, expenditure on account of hiring the services of security agency and sweepers and purchase of equipment and furniture.
- 5 buildings of Shelter Homes already completed and Department has taken over four buildings. However, Department with the assistance of District Administration has started the temporary shelters from 24th November 2018. Updated beneficiaries of temporary shelters and permanent Shelters are as under ;
| Sr. No. | Project Site | Stay | Breakfast | Dinner |
| 1 | Data Darbar Site | 12696 | 18012 | 17946 |
| 2 | Railway Station Site | 4810 | 6350 | 6347 |
| 3 | SabziMandi Site | 7253 | 15614 | 19790 |
| 4 | General Bus Stand Site | 4552 | 6249 | 5961 |
| 5 | ThokarNiazBaig Site | 4705 | 5347 | 7181 |
| TOTAL | 34016 | 51572 | 57225 | |
- Department has also notified a Board of Governors for running the newly established PannahGah comprising of Mr.GoharIjaz, Mr.MianAhsan, Mr YaqoobIzhar, KhawajaUmerFarooq, Sheikh Muhammad Imran along with Secretary to Government of the Punjab Social Welfare, Finance, Primary & Secondary Health Care Department and Commissioner Lahore Division.
- Board of Governors have held four meetings and also visited the following hospitals for the identification of land for the establishment of PannahGahs;
Mayo Hospital
Punjab Institute of Cardiology
Lahore General Hospital
Punjab Institute of Cardiology
Jinnah Hospital
Children Hospital
- Land in all the hospitals identified and issue will be presented before BoG in its next meeting for the identification of potential donors. Department has also proposed an ADP scheme in the next years ADP with a tentative cost of Rs 120 million. BoG intends to construct the buildings through philanthropists. However, Department will operate and run these shelter in accordance with the policy of the Department. BoG with the contribution of philanthropist is providing around 17000 meals per day.
- As per direction of Worthy Chief Minister, Department has revised the scope of work and now in the process to connect these Centeres with NADRA for security of the residents. Department also intends to expand this facility to all the Divisional HQs during the next financial year and to all the District HQs in coming years.
- Department has alsoprepared Draft Punjab PannahGahBoard Act and SOPs for running the PannahGah to run these services with collaboration of private sector and philanthropist. This law and SOPs are under the process of approval.
