Balochistan Launches Bold Empowerment Drive for Persons with Disabilities Under ‘KUMAK Support Fund’

Independent Report
Quetta, February 19 – Chief Minister Mir Sarfaraz Bugti has unveiled a comprehensive expansion of the “KUMAK Support Fund,” shifting the government’s approach for persons with disabilities from traditional aid to a full-scale empowerment model. The initiative encompasses increased financial support, enhanced educational opportunities, and skill development programs across Balochistan.
During the second Provincial Council meeting on the KUMAK Support Fund at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti stressed that the program aims to foster dignity, self-reliance, and social inclusion for individuals with disabilities, moving beyond mere handouts.
The session was attended by Parliamentary Secretary for Social Welfare Haji Wali Muhammad Noorzai, Chief Secretary Balochistan Shakeel Qadir Khan, senior officials from key departments, and representatives from organizations serving persons with disabilities.
The council approved a significant rise in monthly stipends to help beneficiaries sustain a dignified standard of living. Immediate steps were also authorized for the procurement of essential assistive devices, including electric wheelchairs, to ensure timely support for those in need.
Mir Sarfaraz Bugti highlighted that the initiative will be rolled out in phases to cover all registered persons with disabilities province-wide. Under the “KUMAK Endowment Fund,” the program aims to build institutional frameworks that transform disability support into a structured empowerment platform rather than temporary relief.
In addition, the Chief Minister announced guaranteed scholarships and educational assistance for students with disabilities, spanning from matriculation through PhD studies. Departments were instructed to bolster vocational and technical training, provide mobility aids, and facilitate skill-building programs to enable beneficiaries to engage actively in economic and social activities.
To further promote financial independence, interest-free loans will be made available, encouraging both employment and self-employment opportunities for persons with disabilities.
Concluding the meeting, Mir Sarfaraz Bugti directed all relevant authorities to ensure swift and effective implementation of the council’s decisions, aiming for immediate, tangible improvements in the welfare and empowerment of persons with disabilities throughout Balochistan.