On Tuesday, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur distributed cheques of interest-free loans to youth as part of the Ehsaas Nojawan Programme, a flagship initiative aimed at financially empowering young people in the province. The ceremony took place at the Chief Minister’s House, with the attendance of cabinet members, advisers to the CM, and selected beneficiaries of the programme.
The Ehsaas Nojawan Programme provides interest-free loans to youth aged 18-35, enabling them to start their own businesses. The initiative, part of the broader Ehsaas programme, aims to empower young entrepreneurs and create employment opportunities. With an initial budget of Rs3 billion, the programme has allocated Rs1.1 billion for the current fiscal year.
The first phase of the programme, in collaboration with the Bank of Khyber, offers loans ranging from Rs1 million to Rs5 million for groups of three to five individuals. A flexible repayment schedule spans eight years, with the first 20 months offering a grace period. The second phase, in collaboration with Akhuwat Microfinance Bank, offers loans between Rs100,000 and Rs500,000 for small-scale businesses. Special quotas are reserved for women and persons with disabilities.
Speaking at the ceremony, CM Gandapur emphasized the government’s commitment to supporting youth entrepreneurship and providing opportunities for financial independence. He urged the youth to prioritize entrepreneurship and create jobs, not just for themselves, but for others as well.
The CM also announced the upcoming launch of three additional programmes under the Ehsaas initiative—Ehsaas Apna Ghar, Ehsaas Rozgar, and Ehsaas Hunar—with a combined allocation of Rs15 billion.
In a separate development, Gandapur chaired the fourth meeting of the Board of Directors of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Culture and Tourism Authority. The board approved the regularization of tourism police personnel and an increase in their salaries. The CM directed the department to identify new tourist destinations and stressed the importance of promoting tourism as a priority sector, citing the growth in tourism numbers.
The government’s focus on tourism is expected to lead to new job opportunities and investment, further solidifying Khyber Pakhtunkhwa as a premier travel destination.
