Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Launches Interest-Free Loan and Internship Programs for Youth has initiative aimed at empowering the youth through interest-free loans and internship programs. Chief Minister Ali Amin Gandapur officially launched the “Ehsaas Naujawan” and “Chief Minister Youth Internship” programs during a ceremony held at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar.
As part of this initiative, an Ehsaas Naujawan online portal was also launched, allowing young people across the province to apply for interest-free loans to start their own businesses. A Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) was signed between the KP Department of Youth Affairs, the Bank of Khyber, and Akhuwat Microfinance Bank to implement this program effectively. This three-year project has been allocated a budget of Rs3 billion.
Key Components of the Ehsaas Naujawan Program
The Ehsaas Naujawan program consists of two main components, focusing on providing financial support for business ventures:
- Large-Scale Interest-Free Loans
- Budget: Rs1 billion
- Partners: Bank of Khyber (BOK)
- Target Group: Young clusters of 3-5 people, aged 18-35
- Loan Range: Rs1 million to Rs5 million
- Small-Scale Interest-Free Loans
- Budget: Rs2 billion
- Partners: Akhuwat Microfinance Bank
- Target Group: Individuals aged 18-40
- Loan Range: Rs100,000 to Rs500,000
- Special Quotas:
- 15% for young women
- 5% for madrassah students
Chief Minister Youth Internship Program
In addition to the loan initiative, the KP government has launched the Chief Minister Youth Internship Program, which will offer 400 internships annually to students. Each internship will last three months and provide a stipend of Rs25,000 per month. Over three years, 1,200 students will benefit from this program. Eligibility criteria include:
- Maximum age of 29
- Completion of 16 years of education or an equivalent degree recognized by the Higher Education Commission (HEC)
Upon successful completion, internees will receive employment placement opportunities within various public and private sectors, aiding them in gaining practical experience and building their professional careers.
Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Government Launches Interest-Free Loan and Internship Programs for Youth
During the launch event, Chief Minister Gandapur highlighted the vision of party founder Imran Khan, emphasizing the importance of empowering citizens to become self-sufficient. He noted that initiatives like Ehsaas Naujawan, Ehsaas Hunar, Ehsaas Rozgar, and Ehsaas Apna Ghar are practical steps towards achieving this vision by providing resources and support for young people to start their own ventures and become financially independent.
