Zubair Qureshi
Adequate arrangement have been made at the Panagahs (Shelter Homes) for provision of meals during the Sehr-o-Iftar hour and the Peshawar Mor (G-9/4) Shelter Home in this regard served the poor deserving people with Iftar on Sunday, the First day of the Holy month of Ramazan.
While talking to Pakistan Observer, Prime Minister’s Focal Person on Panagahs Naseemur Rehman said, all arrangements have been made for offering a homelike Sehr and Iftar to daily-wage earners and the destitute at shelter homes in the holy month of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak.
Over 100 Panagahs across the country are ready to observe the holy month, said the PM’s spokesperson adding the essential supplies, including dates, sugar and sweet beverages, have already been provided to all Panagahs.
Rehman was talking to media persons after reviewing the arrangements at the Peshawar Mor facility located in G-9, Islamabad.
The Panagahs set up by the government under the umbrella of its flagship social welfare programme “Ehsaas”, have been providing food and shelter to thousands of poor and needy people across the country.
According to Rehman, Panagahs had come a long way in fulfilling its mission of serving labourers and daily wagers with dignity and respect. As regards the Ramazan preparations, he said the field teams and friends of Panagahs were enthusiastically busy in giving finishing touches to arrangements for creating a homelike environment for Sehr and Iftar. He said he had held consultations with service providers, local boards and supporters of Panagahs to provide fresh and nutritious Sehr and Iftar packages in addition to regular meals to the dwellers.
He said traditional foods and customary cuisines had been added to the menu supplemented with dates, sweet drinks, fritters and snacks. The network of community supporters and field staff was working as a team to demonstrate a sense of ownership, participation and sustainability for the much needed services provided by the Panagah programme, he remarked. He appreciated the spontaneous, generous and consistent support extended by the philanthropic members of society for the welfare of the dwellers of Panagahs.
All staff of Panagahs have been especially instructed and trained to pay extra care to the residents and guests at the shelter homes, he added.To a query, he said the PTI government would continue to serve the marginalized communities in line with its mission and vision.
Before Ramazan too, 300 to 400 daily wage workers used to visit one Panagah for two meals and even for spending the night.
