PESHAWAR, May 2: The NWFP government has approved a proposal to provide interest-free loans to the victims of the Hangu tragedy through the Bank of Khyber. The loans will help hundreds of affected shopkeepers, traders and other people of Hangu Bazar and outskirts.

The provincial cabinet in its special meeting on Feb 18 early this year had approved provision of soft loans to facilitate victims of Hangu tragedy, the implementation of scheme was delayed till receipt of damage report by the Home Department.

It was thereafter decided to provide interest-free loans to the victims from Rs20,000 to Rs100,000 through BoK and the 13 per cent mark up will be paid by the provincial government.

It is expected that BoK will start provision of loans within a month after necessary arrangements.—PPI