Pakistan province launches income support card for minority communities

QUETTA, Pakistan (MNTV) — Pakistan’s Balochistan provincial government has announced the launch of the People’s Minority Card, a new initiative aimed at improving access to education, healthcare, employment, and business opportunities for minority communities across the province.

The decision was approved at a high-level meeting chaired by Chief Minister Sarfraz Bugti, which also endorsed a broader package of reforms to promote minority welfare and self-reliance.

Under the scheme, an initial Rs500 million has been allocated from the Minority Endowment Fund for the current fiscal year, with funding expected to double to Rs1 billion next year to expand coverage.

“The prosperity of our minority communities is integral to Balochistan’s development,” Mr. Bugti said. “We are committed to mobilizing every resource to achieve this goal.”

The chief minister said the card will help streamline access to key government services and welfare programs. He added that training courses, financial assistance, and self-employment schemes for minority youth would be launched to strengthen household incomes and promote participation in the provincial economy.

A digital monitoring system will be introduced to ensure transparent management and equitable distribution of resources, officials said. The final program framework will be developed in consultation with minority leaders, religious representatives, and civil society organizations.