Governor Punjab Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) has said that interest-free loans for self-employment had played a major role in arresting poverty and unemployment, adding that the private sector was fully supplementing the government's efforts to achieve the ultimate objective of progress and prosperity.
Addressing a function of "Akhuwat", an NGO, to distribute cheques of interest-free loans among 125 individuals here at the central mosque of University of Agriculture Faisalabad (UAF), he said that the present government under the visionary and able leadership of President General Pervez Musharraf had stabilised the national economy and now efforts were being made to disseminate its fruits down to the poor masses.
About various schemes introduced at the government level, he said the Punjab government was paying subsistence of Rs 500 to Rs 600,000 families. Similarly, Rs 7.5 billion were dolled out every year among 20,50,000 families through Baitul Maal, he added.
He said that government hospitals were also offering free treatment of hepatitis and other chronic diseases to needy destitute. On the education front, free education had been ensured up to matriculation while subsidised education was being imparted to youths in public sector colleges and universities.
"Technical Education and Vocational Training Authority (TEVTA) is providing free education in addition to extending necessary help to the needy students to start their own business", he said and added that government had also provided Rs 750 million to improve the capacity of National Vocational and Technical Education Commission (NAVTEC).
The governor lauded the innovative idea of "Akhuwat" to extend interest-free loans to the poor segments that are ready to start their own small business instead of becoming a burden on government or society. He said that this organisation had so far distributed Rs 200 million and now it was planning to expand its network to other cities and towns.
He urged the well-to-do people to continue their noble cause of helping the poor. He said that it would not being prosperity but also play its role in further improving the law and order situation in the country.
The governor also appreciated the various schemes offered by NBP and said that TEVTA was also contributing in a big way to provide technical skills to the educated youth to cater to the needs of new industrial units.
Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib, Chief Executive Akhuwat said that the organisation had so far disbursed Rs 9 million among 800 families of Faisalabad while another Rs 1.3 million are being distributed among 125 individuals. He said that Akhuwat was earlier restricted to only 12 major cities. However now its network would be expanded to 100 cities and towns.
He appreciated the cooperation of philanthropists and urged upon the students to come out of their self-made cocoon and play their dynamic role for the welfare and betterment of masses.
Mian Muhammad Idress former president Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FCCI) and Chief Executive Stara Group, Arif Suriya chief Citizen Police Liaison Committee (CPLC) Local philanthropists announced to donate Rs 2.45 million for the future activities of Akhuwat while the governor announced Rs 100,000.