The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has passed a bill from the provincial assembly to establish foundation for the welfare of the indigent and dispossessed persons, including widows and persons with disabilities in the province, through financial assistance for health, education, trainings, tools, equipment, shelters etc in line with the spirit of well-being of the people.
The Act called 'The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lissail-e-Wal Mahroom Foundation Act, 2015 would be extended to the whole of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa at once. As soon as may be, after the commencement of the Act, the provincial government would establish a foundation to be known as the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Lissail-e-Wal Mahroom Foundation.
The foundation would be a body corporate having perpetual succession, and a common seal with the power subject to the provision of this Act, to enter into contract, acquire, hold and dispose of property, both movable and immovable in its name and would be by the said name can sue and be sued. The head office of the foundation will be in Peshawar and its offices at divisional and district level or at such other places within the province as may be deemed necessary.
The objectives of the establishment of foundation is to enhance the availability of specified facilities to the indigent and dispossessed persons in health, education and social welfare sectors; further synergize the welfare activities of the charity organisations and evolve a partnership with more private charities; protect the indigent and dispossessed persons by facilitating the provision of healthcare, education, skill development and entrepreneurship; and encourage and support philanthropist individuals and institutions to improve their activities and interventions.
The Board to be constituted under the repealed Act will continue their functions under this Act, till the expiration of the tenure of the existing chairperson and members of the board under the repealed Act; Provided that on commencement of this Act the member at clause (c) of sub-section (1) of section 4 of the repealed Act will be replaced by Secretary to Government Establishment Department; Provided further that the secretary of the board appointed under the repealed Act will be re-designed as a Managing Director to be re-appointed under this Act.
After the expiration of the tenure of the Chairperson and members of the board constituted under the repealed Act, the board will be reconstituted under this Act, which will consist of the a chairperson and members including chairman, provincial zakat council, chairperson.
Provincial Commission on the Status of Women, Secretary Finance KP, Secretary Zakat, Ushr, Social Welfare, Special Education and Women Empowerment KP, eight persons to be appointed by the provincial government, three representatives or executive heads of well-reputed welfare organisations for a period of three years while Managing Director of the foundation will also work as Secretary.
The foundation will have a chairperson to be appointed by the provincial government on the recommendations of search committee. The chairperson will hold office for a term of three years and will be eligible for another such term as government may deem fit. A meeting of the board would be convened by the chairperson on such date and at such place, as he may deem appropriate. The board will meet at least once in three months.
The meetings will be presided over by the chairperson or in his absence, a member to be nominated by the chairperson. Quorum of the meeting will be one-third of the total membership of the board.
The board will exercise such power and perform such functions, as may be necessary, to carry out the purposes of this Act. Without prejudice to the generality, the board will lay down the policy, guidelines and issue directions for efficient and effective performance of the foundation and achievements of its objectives; maintain general supervision, create the posts and approve terms and conditions of the service of the employees, officers, consultants and advisors of the foundation; approve budget with allocations for different programs; examine and approve procedure for scrutiny of applications from and disbursement of funds to the indigent and dispossessed persons; lay down the criteria for the mode of assistance; enable the indigent and dispossessed persons to play their due role in national development; mobilise and motivate the general public for all kinds of contributions for the well-being of indigent and dispossessed persons; generate resources for the well-being of indigent and dispossessed persons; introduce innovative programs related to skill oriented disciplines for the indigent and dispossessed persons; and perform such other functions as may be assigned by government for carrying out the purpose of the Act.
The board of the foundation will constitute executive, financial, technical, assessment, monitoring and other committees as it may deem necessary and such committees will exercise such powers and functions as may be assigned to it by the board. The foundation will have a Managing Director, who will be appointed by the provincial government, who will be chief executive officer of the foundation.