Rs40b for two million jobless in next three years: CM

Shahbaz Sharif distributes soft-loan cheques at Badshahi Masjid

LAHORE:

Rs40 billion will be distributed in interest-free loans among two million people during the next three years to make them self-reliant, Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said on Tuesday.

He was addressing a ceremony held to distribute cheques for interest-free loans under the Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme at Badshahi Masjid. Ministers Malik Nadeem Kamran, Dr Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chaudhry Sher Ali, Malik Iqbal Channer, Adviser on Health Khawaja Salman Rafique and thousands of loan recipients were present.





The chief minister said that interest-free loans amounting to Rs17 billion had been disbursed among 0.8 million people during the last few years.

“Similarly, Rs1 billion in loans have been given to 25,000 people in the province today (Tuesday),” he said.

He said those opposed to public welfare programmes could not stop the government from continuing to serve the masses. “All out efforts will be made to eliminate poverty, ignorance and unemployment from the country. The Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme has become a movement. It is a splendid programme to reduce the gulf between the rich and the poor. Billions of rupees will be provided for the welfare of those striving for progress and development of the country,” he said.

The chief minister said that the self employment scheme had been launched for those who could start their own businesses and support their families instead of being a burden on the society. “Collective efforts are needed for national development and prosperity. It is the only way to move ahead. There are those who stole from public money by getting their loans written off. They destroyed the national economy. On the other hand, there are such patriotic Pakistanis who have received small loans, but are trying to strengthen themselves and return it. The rate of repayment for these loans has been 99.99 per cent. The whole nation salutes these patriotic Pakistanis,” he said.

Shahbaz Sharif said that the government had started the provision of interest-free small loans a few years ago so that the unemployed might set up their own businesses. “Initially, a revolving fund of Rs1 billion was established under the name of Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme. It has now reached Rs5 billion. Interest-free loans have been given so far from the revolving fund to 0.85 million families. Provision of interest-free loans is continuing with the cooperation of Akhuwat. Such welfare programmes will be continued for raising the living standard of the poor segments of society,” he said.



He said that the elimination of poverty was the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the government would continue its efforts for eliminating unemployment and poverty from the country. He said that people of Pakistan were very talented and hard working and they would spare no effort for transforming Pakistan into a welfare state in accordance with the vision of founders of the country.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 6^th, 2016.