PESHAWAR: Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Mahmood Khan on Tuesday distributed cheques of interest-free loans among 191 small enterprise owners to help them revive their businesses.

A statement issued here said that these loans were being provided as part of the public-private partnership through under the Prime Minister’s Ehsas Programme.

The statement said that cheques were distributed at a ceremony at the Chief Minister’s House. Adviser on merged districts Ajmal Wazir, special assistant on industries Abdul Karim Khan and others were present.

The cheques worth Rs7.5 million were distributed among small business owners.

On the occasion, Mahmood Khan said under the leadership of Prime Minister Imran Khan, livelihood opportunities were being provided to the poor segments of society to enable them to become job providers instead of job seekers.

He said the provincial government would continue to support all those believed in hard work. He hinted that the government would allocate more funds in the upcoming budget for the purpose.

He said the incumbent government had initiated multiple steps for uplift of poor through provision of technical trainings, loans and facilities for promoting entrepreneurship. He said the Ehsas Programme, establishment of shelter homes, housing schemes and rehabilitation centres were evidence enough in that regard.

He said the interest-free loan initiative would also be expanded to the other districts of the province.

Published in Dawn, January 15th, 2020