Shahbaz inaugurates Rs 31 billion Apna Rozgar Scheme

Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Thursday inaugurated the Apni Gaari, Apna Rozgar Scheme in Lahore. 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 start- ed 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 said that Pakistan Muslim League-N government led by Prime MinisterSharif has eliminated Sifarish culture and ensured supremacy of merit.