SE Scheme is a revolutionary programme for poverty alleviation:Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif has said that Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme is a revolutionary programme of poverty alleviation and controlling unemployment. He said that interest-free loans of 17 billion rupees have been distributed among 8.5 lakh families during the last few years and they have been able to stand on their feet.

Similarly, he said, interest-free loans of one billion rupees have been given to 25 thousand persons of the province today while similar loans worth 40 billion rupees will be distributed among 20 lakh families during the next three years to make them self-reliant.

The Chief Minister expressed these views while addressing a ceremony regarding distribution of cheques of interest-free loans under Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme at Badshahi Mosque, here today. Provincial Ministers Malik Nadeem Kamran, Dr. Ayesha Ghaus Pasha, Ch. Sher Ali, Malik Iqbal Chunner, Advisor on Health Kh. Salman Rafique, Members National and Provincial Assembly, intellectuals, columnists and thousands of persons receiving interest-free loans were present on the occasion.

At the conclusion of the ceremony, the Chief Minister distributed cheques of interest-free loans. Speaking on the occasion, Shehbaz Sharif said that on the one hand there are such great Pakistanis and the builders of the nation who are working hard to achieve the goal of national progress and prosperity while on the other hand there are so-called elite who have usurped billions of rupees of the poor nation in the form of loans.

He said that those who oppose public welfare programme can do so but the government will continue to serve the masses. He said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif all out efforts will be made to eliminate poverty, ignorance and unemployment from the country. He said that Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme has taken the form of a movement and revolution and it is a splendid programme to minimize the gulf between the rich and the poor. The Chief Minister said that billions of rupees more will be provided for the betterment of those who are striving for progress and development of the country.

Shahbaz Sharif said that such patriotic and great Pakistanis are present at the historical Badshahi Mosque today as are working hard for the progress and prosperity of the country. He said that Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme has been launched for those who could start their own business and support their families instead of being a burden on the society.

He said that great philosopher and poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal who gave the idea of Pakistan is buried near Badshahi Mosque and he believed in strong determination and continuous efforts.

Shahbaz Sharif further said that there is Minar-e-Pakistan in front of Badshahi Mosque where historic Pakistan Resolution was adopted under the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah for achieving a separate state where there was supremacy of justice and law and equal rights and opportunities of progress were available to all citizens.

He said that though an independent country was achieved under the dynamic leadership of Quaid-e-Azam but the objectives for which a long struggle was made have not been realized even after a passage of 68 years. He said that if a strong resolve is made to transform Pakistan into a welfare state in the real sense in accordance with the ideas of Quaid and Iqbal and the principle of honesty and hard work is adopted, the goal of setting up a separate country could be achieved. He said that though it is difficult task but not impossible.

The Chief Minister said that collective efforts are needed for national development and prosperity and it is the only way to move ahead. He said that on the one hand there are such elements as have looted the hard-earned money of the poor masses through getting their loans written of and as such destroyed national economy while on the other hand there are such patriotic Pakistanis as have received interest-free small loans but are trying to strengthen the foundations of the country.

He said that rate of repayment of these loans is 99.99 percent and the whole nation salutes these patriotic Pakistanis. Shehbaz Sharif said that Punjab government had started the scheme of provision of interest-free small loans a few years ago so that unemployed persons could set up their business and a revolving fund of one billion rupees was established under the name of Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme and it has now reached a sum of five billion rupees.

He said that interest-free loans of more than Rs.17.5 billion have been given so far from this revolving fund to 8.5 lakh families. He said that provision of interest-free loans is continuing with the cooperation of Akhuwat. He said that such welfare programmes will be continued for raising the living standard of poor masses and deprived segments of the society. He said that elimination of poverty is the vision of Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif and the government will continue its efforts for eliminating unemployment and poverty from the country.

He said that people of Pakistan are very talented and hard working and they will spare no effort for transforming Pakistan into a welfare state in accordance with the vision of founders of the country.

Executive Director Akuwat Organization Dr. Amjad Saqib highlighted the aims and objectives of Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme. He said that interest free loans are being given irrespective of any consideration of religion, sect, political affiliation, caste and creed. He said that provision of interest-free loans in the biggest programme of Qarz-e-Hasna in the world through which Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif is giving hope to the people.

Dr. Amjad Saqib said that interest-free loans of one billion rupees are being given to 25 thousand families in Punjab today and a large number of people are benefiting from this scheme. Prominent journalist Mujeeb-ur-Rehman Shami congratulated Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif and Dr. Amjad Saqib of Akhuwat on the glorious programme of provision of interest-free loans.

He said that giving interest-free loans in mosque is splendid tradition which should be promoted. He said that public welfare programme for the poor masses started under the leadership of Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif are proving very useful and a large number of people are benefiting from these programmes.

The persons who got interest-free loans under Chief Minister’s Self Employment Scheme paid rich tributes to Shehbaz Sharif on this splendid programme and said that such schemes will help in overcoming poverty and unemployment in the country.