Sindh Government plans to establish a Co-operative Bank to help the youths of Sindh to earn their livelihood through self-employment.
This was disclosed by Sindh Minister for Youth Affairs and Sports, Qamar Mansoor, while addressing a radio press conference here on Wednesday.
He said he had talked to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz on this proposal and he has highly appreciated the idea.
He said the unemployed youth would be extended loans varying from Rs 0.5 to Rs 2.5 million on a very low mark-up so as to attract them to self-employment instead of running after government jobs.
He referred to a recent visit of President Junior Chamber International (JCI) to Pakistan and said discussions were held with for provision of infrastructure needed for the youth to start business at small scale.
Qamar Mansoor pointed out that Sindh will be the first province to start with such kind of programme.
The minister informed that Sindh government has taken many initiatives in the field of youth affairs and sports which would provide a right direction for the youth of Sindh in coming days.
He disclosed that due to his efforts, the budget of sports department has been increased from Rs 15 million to Rs 80 million.
The present Chief Minister signed the very first file related to enhancement of budget for promotion of sports in the province.
He said now this money will be spent on organising training camps for various sports in a far better manner and holding of various events to groom the upcoming players.
Qamar Mansoor observed that Pakistan has produced legendary sportsmen who brought the country into limelight world over. But not much is being done for grooming of sportsmen for the future.
He pointed out that to promote sports in Sindh, the provincial government has approved the construction of nine new stadiums in the province for which allocations have been approved.
He said these stadium will be constructed in phases over a period of three years.
The minister said that letters have been written to Nazims and DCOs seeking their requirements and needs in connection with this project for which Rs 6.5 million have been earmarked for the first phase.
To a question, he said, that he is making all out efforts to bring unity in various associations and sports organisations who are suffering from mutual conflicts which are causing harm to none but sportsmen.
He said that there are only few organisations which are truly following the National Sports Policy while rest are just after the grants.
He told another question that ban on government jobs is being lifted soon while a bill has been passed to allow age relaxation for applicants who have already crossed the age limit for government job.
The minister said that as a result of economic policies of the present government, the private sector is also fast growing where significant number of jobs would be provided to unemployed youth.
He recalled that in the past jobs used to be provided on political affiliations and after the fall of government, the recruits used to suffer.
He said the ban was imposed because of over staffing in various departments as a result of which 80 percent of budget was being spent on payment of salaries.
The minister said that unemployment is a country-wide problem and because of this groups of unemployed people along with gangs of criminals are running to Karachi and because of their activities here, the crimes are taking place. He said government is taking effective measures to curb this menace.