The Government of Punjab has established a special fund worth Rs500 million to provide financial support to deserving artists under a new welfare initiative.
The program, introduced through the Punjab Artist Service Card, aims to improve the living standards of eligible performers. Under the scheme, qualified artists will receive a monthly stipend of Rs5,000. In the initial phase, 63 deserving artists were given Rs15,000 each.
According to officials, stipend payments will be processed through the Bank of Punjab.
Applications were invited at the beginning of the year, receiving a total of 2,702 submissions. After scrutiny, 1,831 artists were declared eligible.
The verified data has been forwarded to the Punjab Social Protection Authority, and the release of funds has begun.
Additional support measures include an education grant of Rs300,000, a medical grant of Rs200,000, and other assistance amounting to Rs100,000. Authorities are also considering a proposal to provide a monthly pension ranging from Rs10,000 to Rs15,000 for artists above 80 years of age. Plans are underway to introduce a relief scheme for artists aged above 54 years.
Officials described the initiative as a significant step toward ensuring social and financial security for the province’s artistic community.
