CHIEF MINISTER INAUGURATES APNA ROZGAR SCHEME

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Apna Rozgar Scheme, worth Rs. 31 billion, has been launched in the province under which 50 thousand vehicles are being provided to the unemployed youth purely on merit through transparent and computerized balloting. He said that Apna Rozgar Scheme, like other programmes and projects of Punjab government, is free from Sifarish, corruption and political interference and will result in provision of job opportunities not only to 50 thousand youth but 50 thousand families. Shahbaz Sharif said that under Apna Rozgar Scheme vehicles are being provided on soft terms and Rs. 70 thousand below the market rate and their markup is also being paid by Punjab government. He said that 60 percent population of Pakistan comprises youth between the age of 15 to 30 years sand the aim of progress and prosperity of the country can be realized through their empowerment. He said that this scheme is a historic step to translate the revolutionary vision of empowerment of youth into reality.

The Chief Minister was addressing a function regarding computerized balloting of vehicles for Lahore division under Apna Rozgar Scheme, here today. Speaker Punjab Assembly Rana Muhammad Iqbal Khan, Member National Assembly Pervaiz Malik, Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafiq, Spokesman Punjab Government Zaeem Hussain Qadri, Members Provincial Assembly Sh. Allaudin, Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Waheed Gul, Parliamentary Secretary for Transport Nawaz Chohan, President Bank of Punjab Naeem ud Din Khan, assembly members, concerned secretaries, Chairman Punjab Information Technology Board and a large number of intellectuals and journalists were present on the occasion.

Addressing the ceremony, the Chief Minister said that a major portion of Pakistan’s population comprises youth and while the presence of such a large number of young people is a challenge it also provides an opportunity to benefit from their energies for putting the country on the road to progress and prosperity. He said that Punjab government has taken a number of steps for the progress and empowerment of youth and they have also been focused under Apna Rozgar Scheme. He said that lakhs of laptops worth billions of rupees have been distributed among youth on merit basis while interest-free loans are also being provided to them and lakhs of families are benefiting from this programme. He said that rural youth have been provided tractors on concessionary rate while a Youth Commission has also been established for resolving the problems of the youth. He said that scholarships are being given to 60 thousand poor but talented boy and girl students through Punjab Educational Endowment Fund worth 12 billion rupees and they are studying at LUMS, FAST, NUST, Engineering University, medical colleges and other prestigious educational institutions. He said that children of the poor have as much right over education as that of rich classes. Shahbaz Sharif said that it is a very important day for him as Apna Rozgar Scheme is being started for the youth. He said that this scheme will help in resolving the problem of unemployment. He said that unemployment problem has not been solved at the government level anywhere in the world and it is through its policies that a government creates job opportunities in private sector. He said that Apna Rozgar Scheme is an important step in this direction. He said that during his last tenure, 25 thousand vehicles were distributed among unemployed youth two years ago and their recovery rate remained higher than 99 percent. However, he said, now the number of vehicles has been doubled. The Chief Minister further said that more than 1.5 lakh applications were received under Apna Rozgar Scheme and 50 thousand vehicles are being distributed. He said that 10 percent additional quota has been allocated for South Punjab under this scheme. He thanked Provincial Minister for Transport, former Chief Secretary Naveed Akram Cheema, Member Provincial Assembly Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Chairman Punjab Information Technoloby Board Dr. Umer Saif, Secretary Transport, President Bank of Punjab, Suzuki Motors and their team and said that they have played a commendable role for the success of Apna Rozgar Scheme for which balloting is being conducted.

Shahbaz Sharif said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif has eliminated Sifarish culture and ensured supremacy of merit. He said that Apna Rozgar Scheme is also a proof of transparency, merit and speed. He said that Punjab Information Technology Board has shown a laudable performance in the promotion of transparency and Punjab government has taken a lead over others with regard to information technology. He expressed the hope that the youth who will avail honorable employment opportunity will play an important role in the progress and prosperity of the province. He said that originally vehicles were to be provided 40 thousand rupees below the market rate but now with increase in the price of vehicles benefit of 70 thousand rupees per vehicle will be availed. He said that an excellent business model has been developed for Apna Rozgar Scheme and Punjab government will bear the entire markup. He said that provincial government has saved public money of 2.5 billion after successful negotiations for the scheme whereas there is no other example of lowering of prices in the country. He said that kickbacks are taken in big deals but Punjab government held successful negotiations with the lowest bidders for laptop scheme, transport, solid waste management, solar park and other projects and saved billions of rupees which are being spent on the welfare of the masses.

The Chief Minister said that service to the people and protection of the rights of the poor is the hallmark of PML(N) and credit for this goes to the leadership of Prime Minister Muhammad Nawaz Sharif. He said that there is no room for corruption or Sifarish in this scheme of Punjab government and vehicles are being provided to the winners purely on merit and a transparent method has been adopted for this purpose.

The Chief Minister further said that unfortunately last six months of the nation were wasted due to sit-ins which created hurdles in the development projects and undermined the efforts for progress and welfare of the masses. However, he said the government is again moving forward with a new spirit and determination and this process of public service will continue in future as well. He said that Pakistan is facing serious challenges of extremism and terrorism and the aim of national progress and prosperity cannot be achieved without elimination of this menace. He said that the whole nation from Peshawar to Karachi is united in the war against terrorism and wants eradication of this scourge on permanent basis. He said that national leadership is united to root out terrorism and all out efforts are being made for this purpose. He said that time is not far when Pakistan will be free from terrorism and considered a peaceful country. He said that the nations face different challenges but overcome them successfully through hard work and struggle. He said that national leadership is united and determined to eliminate terrorism which will be rooted out and the country will again become a haven of peace and harmony.

Member Provincial Assembly Sh. Allaudin said that honorable job opportunities have been created for thousands of unemployed youth through Apna Rozgar Scheme. He said that the receipt of more than 1.5 lakh applications for vehicles is a proof of the confidence of the people in the policies and welfare schemes of Punjab government. He said that both men and women will benefit from Apna Rozgar Scheme under which 25 thousand Bolan and 25 thousand Ravi vehicles are being given. President Bank of Punjab Naeem ud Din said that BoP is extending full cooperation to the government. Later, the Chief Minister inaugurated balloting through pressing a button and computerized list of the winners was issued. The Chief Minister also talked to two lucky winners through his mobile phone and congratulated them on their success in balloting for vehicles under Apna Rozgar Scheme.