PRIME Minister Imran Khan, on Tuesday, launched Langar
project (soup kitchen programme), a collaborate venture of the Ehsaas Programme and the Saylani Welfare International Trust to provide free meals to the needy and the poor. According to BISP Chairperson Dr Sania Nishtar, by next year, 112 Langars would be opened in Karachi, Hyderabad, Faisalabad, Rawalpindi, Quetta and Peshawar in collaboration with the Saylani Trust, where the needy would be provided quality meals in a dignified manner.
This is yet another initiative of the Government aimed at mitigating sufferings of the down-trodden segment of the society. In his speech, the Prime Minister said Ehsas Langar is a real step towards creation of welfare state modelled on Rayasat-e-Madina. He said it is priority of the Government to ensure that nobody sleeps hungry in the country. There is no doubt that the programme would come as a substantial relief for all those who would be able to make it to the Langars especially in view of sharp increase in prices of food items during the last one year. Daily wage earners and labourers could be the major beneficiaries as they can save money out of their meagre wages to spend on other needs of their family. Collaboration of Saylani Trust is a confirmation of the fact that philanthropists and institutions are willing to extend a helping hand to the government in addressing the chronic issue of abysmal poverty provided they are facilitated and roadblocks are not created in the pursuit of their noble objectives. Bahria Dastarkhwan is already feeding thousands of people daily in different parts of the country and launch of the latest initiative must serve as a source of encouragement for others to follow the suit. Such programmes should not be allowed to become victim of motivated political propaganda as was done in the case of Sasti Roti the scope and benefits of which were much wider than the Langhar programme. There is also a viewpoint and legitimately so that the Government should also focus on projects and programmes that could bring the people out of the poverty line. In the state of Madina, one was unable to find even a single person who deserved Zakat money and therefore, efforts should be made to emulate that model in real essence.
