Tribal youth receive loan disbursement letters

PESHAWAR: Caretaker Minister for Newly Merged Districts Affairs Dr Aamir Abdullah on Friday distributed loan provision letters among individuals under a loan scheme of the provincial government.

A handout said that he visited Khyber district, where he attended a jirga and met the local youth at District Jirga Hall in Landikotal. He was briefed by the district administration and district police on administrative affairs, uplift projects, and law and order.

The minister said the provincial cabinet had approved a scheme of Rs700 million for the provision of interest-free loans to tribal youth, including women. An interest-free loan of Rs0.3 million to Rs1 million was being given to men and women aged 18 years to 50 years, he added.

He said that about 5500 scholarships were being provided for imparting skills and vocational training to the youth from the tribal districts. The minister assured that Khyber district would be given adequate share in the ongoing projects under the special package of the Accelerated Implementation Programme.

The minister directed the Health Department officials to provide space for a rehabilitation center for drug addicts at Landikotal Hospital and assured that funds would be arranged for it. He directed the officials to identify a college or a suitable school building for the initiation of technical training courses in the second shift in Landikotal.

Addressing the youth, he said the future belonged to the youth, therefore, he urged them to use their capabilities while taking into consideration the needs of the future. He listened to the problems of the youth and assured them that he would take up their issues with relevant authorities.