Panagah is one of the priority programmes of Prime Minister. Panagahs not only provide shelter to daily wage earners but also a two-time meal to them.

The concept of Panagah emerges from Prime Minister’s vision of compassion to facilitate the destitute and helpless people, while upholding their self-respect. As part of Prime Minister’s initiative, Ehsaas has opened model Panagahs in different parts of the country. New Panagahs are also being built with improved infrastructure and service standards. In collaboration with Serena Hotels, specialized training is being provided to Panagah staff for improving quality standards.

Drawing on proper need assessment, these shelter homes have been established in low-income neighborhoods and the residential areas of migrant workers to reach maximum number of labourers. Panagahs provide one star+ bed and breakfast facility with meals, essentials, hygiene and security standards.

Each Panagah serves free meals to around 500 people and offers 100-bed facility for overnight stay. There is 24/7 camera surveillance, with power back-up, with clean sheets, fully functioning shared bathrooms with hot running water, self-service meals in dining halls 7 days a week and since meals were served in shifts. There is laundry and housekeeping service and mosque in every Panagah.

The funding model is such that each Panagah has its own account and government funding for essentials is ensured. Accounts are set up to accept donations for every Panagah. Pakistan Bait ul Mal has been given responsibility for Panagahs.

So far, Ehsaas has opened 39 model Panagahs in different parts of the country. Each Panagah serves free meals to around 500 people and offers a 100-bed facility for overnight stay.

For further quality enhancement, a specialized training was provided to Panagah staff for improving quality standards in collaboration with Serena Hotels. Training focused on hospitality, food safety and hygiene, health safety and environment, and housekeeping, and exercising regular monitoring of amenities.

Four new model Panagahs are also being built at Tarlai, Tarnol, G-9 and Mandi More areas in Islamabad Capital Territory with improved standards and structure. New design incorporates a bigger kitchen, cold storage, reception, lobby, waiting areas, and enhanced capacity to offer food and shelter to those in need. These new Panagahs will also have Ehsaas One Window Centers, to enable labourers and the underprivileged class to benefit from the government’s social welfare programs.