The government has announced an assistance package for Newspaper Hawkers and their children under which free medical treatment and educational stipend will be provided.

Secretary Information Zahida Parveen announced the package while addressing a news conference along with Information Minister Syed Shibli Faraz, Managing Director Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal Aon Abbas Bappi and leader of Akhbar Farosh Union Tika Khan in Islamabad this evening.

She said every news hawker would be provided with free medical treatment up to six hundred thousand rupees annually through Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal.  She said the package also included provision of educational stipend to the children of hawkers.

Aon Abbas Bappi said interest-free loans up to 60,000 will also be provided to newspaper hawkers and special assistance will be given in case of physical disability.

He said the children of news hawkers can also avail free admission in 160 educational institutions of PBM across Pakistan where books, bags and stipend will be provided to them. 

Syed Shibli Faraz said welfare steps for hawkers are the responsibility of the government and his ministry is ready to address all issues related to media workers.

Akhbar Farosh Union leader Tika Khan thanked the Minister, Secretary and MD Pakistan Bait-ul-Maal for the package to the Newspapers Hawkers.