PM Youth Loan Program to offer financial aid for laptops

State Bank issues official notification, says Rana Mashhood

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A government official announced that the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme has been expanded to provide financial assistance for business ventures and laptop purchases.

The decision was revealed by Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister for Youth Affairs, who stated that the State Bank of Pakistan has issued an official notification regarding the scheme.

According to the announcement, students aged 18 to 30 currently enrolled in Higher Education Commission (HEC)-)-approved institutions will be eligible to apply for laptop loans.

Additionally, the scheme has been extended to support young individuals seeking employment abroad. Under this initiative, those planning to work overseas can receive up to Rs1 million in loans to cover training, visa, and travel expenses.

Rana Mashhood emphasised that the government is committed to creating more opportunities for the youth. He noted that over Rs186 billion in loans have already been disbursed under the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Scheme to empower young individuals nationwide.

A few weeks ago, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed an increase in the loan amount under the Youth Program from Rs 500,000 to Rs 1.5 million.

A review meeting on small and medium-sized businesses was held today in Islamabad, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, during which the Prime Minister instructed a detailed survey to be completed soon to facilitate businesses.

During the meeting, the Prime Minister emphasised aligning the facilities provided to small and medium-sized businesses with international standards by implementing models from developed countries.

He also directed that a special package for women entrepreneurs in small-scale businesses be prepared and presented soon.

The Prime Minister noted that small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are key to global economic development. The government is committed to encouraging SMEs to promote entrepreneurship within Pakistan's workforce.

Shehbaz Sharif highlighted that the government is working towards empowering youth and women entrepreneurs to create self-employment and generate more job opportunities.