At a press conference here, the Chief Minister said that his government would initiate two more programmes, namely 'Adopt-a-School' programme and 'Sponsor-a-Village' programme.
However, he said, the 'Support-a-Family' Programme was on top of the list on Punjab government agenda under which a fund was being established, in co-ordination with overseas Pakistanis and domestic philanthropists to reach out 10,000 families who have been adversely affected by the October 8 earthquake.
As per plan, the Government of Punjab will provide Rs 6000 per month (Rs 72,000 equivalent to $1200 per annum) for a period of one year, Pervaiz said.
At the moment, over 1,000,000 Pakistanis living in Britain and about 500,000 in the United States have agreed to extend all-out help in this regard, the CM said, adding that the President of PML Shujaat Husain and General Secretary Mushahid Hussain would pay visits to European states and US for fund raising.
Pervaiz also announced to create a new entity to collect, co-ordinate, administer and disburse financial aid in an expeditious and transparent manner. Its head office will be established in Lahore and it will have site offices in all affected districts and tehsils of AJK and NWFP.
Transparency will be ensured with 100 percent aid passed on to recipients. Punjab Government will bear all administrative expenses with policies and guidelines to qualify recipients based on the criteria of disabled, widows and orphans and shelterless, he said.
He however made it clear that payments can be disbursed through post offices (money orders, telegraphic transfer and any scheduled bank). He further said that a reputed international firm of experienced auditors would also be hired to audit the accounts of the body, details of which will be available to the press and public.
The details of funds and 'support-a-family' initiative will also be available at website to ensure transparency.
The Chief Minister told the media that Punjab Government would also provide free of cost medical treatment to all affectees, besides building houses for them.
He however sought the help of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) to secure registration of recipients through Automated Fingerprints Identification System (AFIS) and Facial Recognition System.
The registration system would be linked to Nadra, Federal and Provincial Governments to prevent duplication of efforts. President PML Shujaat Hussain and Pervaiz Elahi himself on the occasion announced to adopt at least five affected families under the 'Support-a-Family' Programme.
Several MNAs and Senators, while expressing solidarity with the affectees, announced to adopt two to five families.
The Chief Minister said that Punjab has so far pledged Rs 1.25 billion relief package for quake victims including cash compensation of Rs 500 million each to NWFP and AJK, apart from 50 truckload tents and blankets for the worst hit areas of the earthquake.
He said that he had a meeting with Pakistan Tent Manufacturers Association in Lahore in which they agreed to speed up providing 1000 tents on daily basis. They have also been asked to make sure the quality of the tents besides quantity, he pointed out.
He also offered over 15,000 beds in Punjab health facilities for AJK and NWFP quake victims for free of cost medical care. Pervaiz said that Health Department would set up 50-bed hospital at Balakot, and train NWFP doctors.
After successful experience of this initiative, the government would embark upon two most important projects--'Sponsor-a-Village' Programme and 'Adopt-a-School' Programme.