Public welfare: Senior minister announces interest-free loans worth Rs2b

Stressed the need for reviving local industry.

PESHAWAR:

A health and education emergency has been imposed in Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) by the provincial government, according to senior minister Sirajul Haq, who also said that government will be introducing a new interest-free loan with an initial fund of Rs2 billion.

He was talking to a delegation of tribal elders from Lakki Marwat who called on him on Saturday.

Of the interest-free loan, he said Rs1 billion has been allocated for the youth of 12 most backward districts to provide them with loans for small businesses.

Similarly, Rs500 million has been set aside to provide Rs2000 monthly allowance to unemployed youth having a master’s degree while Rs120 million has been earmarked for promoting industry and business activities among the youth.

He added that the waiver of property tax on industrial units is being extended for five years to lay the foundation for industrialisation in K-P. Regarding the energy shortfall, he appealed to overseas Pakistanis to invest in the province to overcome the crisis.

Haq said the public will be provided with enhanced service delivery in health, education, water supply, agriculture, communication and other sectors to improve the general standard of living.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 28^th, 2013.