Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced a groundbreaking initiative that is set to benefit young people across the country. He revealed that the federal government would be distributing 100,000 laptops to top-achieving youth purely on merit.
Addressing an enthusiastic crowd at a ceremony for cheque distribution among the beneficiaries of the Prime Minister Youth Loan Program, Shehbaz Sharif spoke passionately about the power of education and the potential of Pakistan's youth.
In his speech, the Prime Minister praised the success of the laptop scheme, which had been previously criticized by some. He stated that the laptops had helped the youth earn sustenance, particularly during the Covid pandemic.
"Those who used to criticize the laptop scheme in the past should have witnessed that the very laptops helped the youth earn sustenance, particularly during the Covid pandemic," he said. He also made a witty remark, stating that he was giving out laptops, not Kalashnikovs.
Shehbaz Sharif went on to explain that the progress of the country was linked to the success of the Youth Loan Program, which not only supported unemployed youngsters but also benefited the national economy.
He emphasized that if provided with ample opportunities, Pakistan's youth would take the country to new heights. He also mentioned the CM Youth Loan Scheme launched in Punjab, where 75,000 youth were given vehicles on loan, with a recovery ratio of around 99%, demonstrating the honesty of the country's youngsters.
The Prime Minister's speech was met with great applause, as he highlighted the importance of investing in Pakistan's youth. He stated that the government would never disappoint the youth and would scrape the maximum resources to extend them loan facilities.
The SAPM on Youth Affairs, Shiza Fatima Khawaja, also addressed the audience and assured them that the target of Rs30 billion loan to the youth would be achieved. She thanked the relevant ministries, banks, microfinance organizations, businesses, and social media partners for their services and contribution to the success of the program.
Bank of Punjab President and CEO, Zafar Masud
The Bank of Punjab President and CEO, Zafar Masud, also spoke at the ceremony and highlighted the features of the freelancer card. He said that freelancers could bring in revenue worth billions of rupees if the card was issued and account access was made easy.
He recalled that in the past, the recovery ratio of the Rozgar scheme was 99%, while the recovery rate of the Kissan scheme was 99.6%, which removed misconceptions about the government loan schemes.
In conclusion, the announcement of the laptop scheme by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif is a significant step towards investing in Pakistan's youth and promoting education. It is a testament to the government's commitment to empowering the younger generation and providing them with ample opportunities for success.
With the success of the Youth Loan Program and the distribution of laptops, the country's youth is well on its way to taking Pakistan to new heights.
