Khyber Pakhtunkhwa CM Distributes Interest-Free Loan Cheques to Youth Under Ehsaas Nojawan Programme
PESHAWAR: On Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur distributed cheques for interest-free loans to youth under the Ehsaas Nojawan Programme, aimed at helping them start their own businesses. The ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, with cabinet members, advisers, and officials from the Department of Youth Affairs in attendance, alongside selected beneficiaries.
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The Ehsaas Nojawan Programme is part of the provincial government’s Ehsaas initiative, focusing on empowering youth financially by providing interest-free loans for entrepreneurial ventures. The programme, launched with an initial budget of Rs3 billion, has Rs1.1 billion allocated for the current fiscal year. It has two key components: the first, in collaboration with the Bank of Khyber, offers loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs5 million to groups of three to five individuals aged 18-35 years. These loans come with an eight-year repayment plan, including a 20-month grace period. The second phase, in collaboration with Akhuwat Microfinance Bank, allocates Rs2 billion to provide loans between Rs100,000 and Rs500,000 for small-scale businesses, with special quotas for women and persons with disabilities.
During the ceremony, the CM announced the upcoming launch of three additional programmes under the Ehsaas initiative: Ehsaas Apna Ghar Programme, Ehsaas Rozgar Programme, and Ehsaas Hunar Programme, with a combined allocation of Rs15 billion in the current budget. He emphasized the importance of financial independence for youth and encouraged them to prioritize entrepreneurship over seeking traditional employment. The government is committed to supporting innovative business ideas, he assured, highlighting the role of hard work and integrity in achieving success.
Tourism Police Regularisation and New Tourism Projects Announced
In a separate meeting, Chief Minister Gandapur chaired the fourth Board of Directors meeting of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority at the Chief Minister’s Secretariat. The meeting saw the approval of the regularisation of the tourism police’s personnel and an increase in their monthly salary from Rs36,000 to Rs45,000. Additionally, the board decided to equip the tourism police with heavy bikes and advanced communication devices.
The CM directed the tourism department to identify new tourist destinations and included at least four new sites in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP). He highlighted the significant growth in tourism, with 15 million domestic and international tourists visiting the province last season, and emphasized the need for infrastructure development, such as access roads to tourism zones.
The CM also instructed the amendment and publicizing of the Thandiani Integrated Tourism Zone master plan, aiming to enhance tourism offerings in the region. He stressed that tourism is a priority sector with immense job creation and investment potential, and the government is committed to establishing Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a top destination for tourists. The board approved the formation of various committees to improve the efficiency of the tourism sector.
