Trans artist opens own business under KJP

ISLAMABAD:

The Prime Minister's Kamyab Jawan Programme (KJP) helps foster inclusion of trans people in the society as Sonia Naz, a trans artist, has become the country's first transgender to open her own business pertaining to fashion designing after getting a soft loan of Rs1 million under its Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme (YES), a spokesperson said on Monday.

On a mission to transform the mindset of the society that they are only born to dance or beg, the trans artist said she wanted to change such way of thinking among the people by setting an example. Sonia, in a two-minute video clip, said she swiftly applied for a concessionary loan after hearing the news that Prime Minister Imran Khan had launched KJP to assist the youth in starting their own businesses.

She said she felt optimistic after witnessing a third column for transgender people on the application form. She appreciated the prime minister and the KJP's team for including transgender community under such a 'wonderful' initiative.

Commenting over the development, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Muhammad Usman Dar said the present government was working specifically for the marginalised strata of the society.

He maintained that said soft loans amounting to Rs8.5 billion had been disbursed to 10,000 young entrepreneurs under YES. A large number of women were also financially supporting their families after reaping benefits of the KJP, he added.

The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Pakistan, extending technical assistance to the YES, commented over the development through a tweet. "UNDP Pakistan is proud to offer technical assistance and support to Prime Minister Imran Khan's Youth Entrepreneurship Scheme of Kamyab Jawan Programme as it reaches out to provide financial support to vulnerable groups and help people like Sonia start their own businesses," it tweeted the other day.

Published in The Express Tribune, May 18^th, 2021.