Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has announced Rs 5 billion to provide interest free loans under Chief Minister Self-Employment Scheme during the current fiscal year and 50 hundred thousand poor families will benefit from it. He said that loans worth Rs 9 billion have been distributed among 500,000 deserving families during the last three years and repayment of these loans is hundred percent which is a proof of success of the scheme. He said that the elite usurping trillions of rupees of the poor people and got their loans waved off on political grounds in the past have caused huge loss to the country while poor families have set a great example through hundred percent repayments of loans taken for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that like Punjab, interest free loans should be provided to the great Pakistanis of Baluchistan, Sindh and Khyber Pakhtunkhawa and they will not only return these loans through their hard work but also rid the country of foreign loans.
He expressed these views while addressing a function held in connection with distribution of interest-free loans among deserving citizens under the Chief Minister Self Employment Scheme at Al Hamra Cultural Complex on Thursday. Provincial ministers, National and provincial assembly members, columnists, intellectuals, representatives of NGOs and people belonging to other segments of society were present in large numbers. Punjab Educational Endowment Fund Vice Chairman and Akhuwat Executive Director Dr Amjad Saqib highlighted the aims and objectives of the scheme.
CM INAUGRATE MODEL CATTLE MARKET:
Meanwhile inaugurating the first modern model cattle market of Pakistan of its kind in Sheikhupura on Thursday, Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif said the government has set up first model market where modern facilities are being provided to cattle breeders under one roof.
After inauguration, the chief minister visited the market and reviewed the facilities. He said that the model market will rid the breeders of the meance of extortion money and the breeders won’t be exploited. He said that the scope of model cattle markets will be extended to other districts too. The chief minister said that special sheds have been constructed for the protection of animals in the model market.
He said that a security system has been evolved and free parking facility will be provided to trucks. He said that such model markets will be set up throughout Punjab. He said that facilities of international standard will be available to cattle breeders. He said that cattle breeders will get better price for their animals.
He said that a modern system of corruption free cattle market has been introduced in Punjab and other provinces should also replicate this model.
He said that earlier cattle market had been set up once a week and now this market will continue for seven days. He said that a bank has also been set up inside the model market so that the cash of the traders remains safe.
He said that the facility contains a slaughter house, veterinary hospital, dispensary and residential rooms. He directed officials concerned that planning of provision of solar energy to cattle market should be made till installation of biogas plant.
RIGHTS OF FARMERS TO BE PROTECTED:
Talking to journalists, the chief minister said that rights of farmers will be protected at every cost. He said that not a single penny in price of sugarcane was reduced in Punjab whereas in another province, the price of sugarcane was decreased from Rs 182 to Rs 155 and due to cheap sugar in that province, problems were created for sugar mills in Punjab but he did not allow loss to farmers.
He further said that terming Chinese investment in energy projects as loan is the biggest lie. He urged the opposition to refrain from lying about a sincere friend like China as it would harm the brotherly ties.
WORLD BANK OFFER COOPERATION IN DIFFERENT SECTORS:
Meanwhile, a delegation of World Bank led by Vice President for South Asian Region Annette Dixon met the Punjab chief minister to discuss matters of mutual interest, promotion of cooperation in education, health, energy, skill development, disaster management and other sectors. The government and World Bank agreed to impart different skills to 500,000 youth every year in Punjab.
The chief minister said that positive collaboration between Pakistan and World Bank is continuing in various sectors which is yielding positive results. He said that World Bank is extending full cooperation in education, health, skill development and energy projects of Punjab.
He said that the government is willing to further promote cooperation with World Bank in education, health, energy, skill development, disaster management and other sectors. He said that land record management information system will be completed with the cooperation of World Bank in Punjab in June.