KARACHI: The federal government disbursed almost Rs5 billion loans among youths of Sindh under Prime Minister Imran Khan’s Kamyab Jawan Programme and eyeing to offer Rs10bn more by the end of current financial year.

A prime minister’s aide said on Tuesday that the first phase of the programme focused mainly on the youth of Karachi and the next one would include rest of the Sindh offering business loans, which would empower them and also energise the country’s economic activity.

“We have disbursed Rs3bn among young entrepreneurs of Karachi alone which resulted in establishment of 600 plus startups and creation of over 3,000 jobs for the people of the metropolis,” Special Assistant to Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Usman Dar told a press conference here at the Sindh Assembly.

“Over 5,000 retail outlets, including grocery, garments and other commodities, have started their business across the country. Under the same initiative, 1,200 retail outlets have also begun business in Karachi and a number of them have already opened up despite difficulties arising out of Covid-19 pandemic. This is the change and this is the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan which is empowering people at grassroots level,” he said.

Accompanied by Leader of the Opposition in the Sindh Assembly Haleem Adil Sheikh, Mr Dar said the federal government had launched various youth engagement projects with a total cost of Rs4bn.

“In line with the same vision, we are going to set up youth development centres at some 108 public sector universities across the country which would facilitate over two million students. These centres will provide multiple services to the students including career counselling and access to various opportunities in both public and private sectors,” he added.

Published in Dawn, February 9th, 2022