Punjab Finance Minister Mujtaba Shuja-ur-Rehman has said that new women universities have been established in Bahawalpur, Multan, Sialkot and Faisalabad for enhancing ratio of higher education among women. He was talking to delegations of party workers here on Thursday. The Minister said scholarships are being given to 50,000 students from Punjab Educational Endowment Fund and out of these 25,000 was female.
"Similarly, among those who benefited from laptop scheme during the last two years, 60 percent were female. Moreover, small loans of Rs 4 billion have been given to 50 percent women and now they were earning their living honourably. The Punjab government will ensure to protect women rights as well as practical steps would be taken to stop the incidences of violence against women, whereas relevant laws will be implemented strictly and new legislation will also be made in this regard if required," he added.
According to him, interest-free loans worth Rs 5.5 billion have been distributed under Chief Minister's Self Employment Scheme and 350,000 families would be benefited from this programme. Further amount of Rs 6 billion would also be given during next five years for the provision of interest-free loans and 2 million families will be benefited. Ratio of repayment of loans under Chief Minister's Self Employment Scheme is hundred percent. Various programmes were being implemented during the current year under Educational Endowment Fund, Punjab Education Foundation and Punjab Skills Development Programme for enhancing educational and professional abilities of women.