Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz Sharif has announced the allocation of land in industrial zones for recipients of the Asaan Karobar loan program, urging authorities to expedite the business finance scheme and increase the number of beneficiaries.
During a ceremony for distributing Asaan Karobar finance cheques and cards, she directed the Bank of Punjab to maximize loan issuance and emphasized the need for a policy that ensures the immediate commencement of businesses. “NOCs (no-objection certificates) and licenses will continue to be issued. Take loans and start businesses,” she encouraged participants.
The Chief Minister also revealed plans to launch a free plot scheme during Ramadan, which will benefit 3.3 million families, providing them with Rs10,000 each at their doorsteps. Additionally, a laptop scheme for students is set to be introduced after Ramadan.
Maryam Nawaz expressed concern for the youth, stating, “If the country still doesn’t progress, the youth will lose all hope.” She highlighted the positive trajectory of Pakistan’s economy, noting that interest-free loans are essential for stabilizing the private sector. “The economy remained sick for seven years, but now the situation is improving,” she asserted, adding that the standard of living for the people is on the rise.
The Chief Minister praised the PML-N party’s commitment to economic development, stating, “Whenever PML-N President Nawaz Sharif made a promise, he fulfilled it.” She noted the rapid launch of the Asaan Karobar Finance and Asaan Karobar Card schemes, which allow loans starting from Rs1 million to be processed within a month without any interest charges.
Maryam Nawaz emphasized the importance of small and medium enterprises, stating, “The economy depends on small and medium enterprises. Not everyone can do big business. Those who get loans from Asaan Karobar will prosper in days and provide jobs to others.” She also mentioned that 185,000 applications had been received for the Asaan Karobar Card, with 71,000 applications each for the Rs5 million and Rs30 million finance schemes.
Addressing recent calls for protests, she claimed that no significant turnout occurred in Punjab, alleging that only government employees from Khyber Pakhtunkhwa were mobilized in response to such calls.
Former Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who attended the event, lamented the impact of “polluting politics” on the country, stating, “It is unfortunate that a developing country was derailed and destroyed.” He praised the efforts of Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif in reviving economic stability and emphasized the need for continuity in policies to ensure economic development.
Nawaz Sharif concluded by criticizing the previous regime, stating, “Corruption, economic destruction, inflation, and bad manners were gifts of previous regime change. Our goal is to develop the country and make the people prosperous by saving them from inflation.”
