The Senate was informed on Friday that loans worth Rs 1.098 billion of 13,464 residents of four districts of Malakand division had been written-off by various banks.
Finance Minister Dr Abdul Hafeez Shaikh informed the House during the question-answer hour that the loans had been written-off for the residents of terrorism-hit districts of Malakand, Swat, Buner and Chitral. He said that a summary for waiving loans of another Rs 400 million was with the prime minister, and that it would be approved in a couple of days. The minister said that after the approval, residents of other districts, including Bajaur, will benefit from the decision.
To a question, the minister said that Rs 1,898.5 billion had been invested in the National Savings Schemes. He said the profit rate for the schemes had been revised last month, and the next revision would be made in April this year.
