Shahbaz announces interest-free loans for farmers

LAHORE: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif has said the Punjab government has evolved a programme under which interest-free loans of billions of rupees will be distributed among farmers and small cultivators will get relief from this step. 

The chief minister was chairing a meeting which reviewed programme of provision of interest-free loans to small cultivators. Addressing the meeting, Shahbaz said that programme of interest-free loans will benefit agriculture and enable the cultivators stand on their own feet. 

He said mark-up of the programme of interest-free loans will be borne by the Punjab government. He said agriculture is of paramount importance in national economy and Punjab government has given top priority to agriculture sector. He said revolutionary steps have been taken for the uplift of agriculture and prosperity of farmers. He said programme of provision of interest-free loans is part of historical agri package.  He said if cultivator is prosperous, then agri economy will strengthen and the country will make progress. He said the Punjab government has set up agri commission for setting agri economy on durable basis. He said government is taking effective steps for the protection of their interests. 

The chief minister directed to constitute steering committee for moving the programme of provision of interest-free loans forward and said the committee will take immediate steps for implementation of the programme. Provincial ministers Dr Farrukh Javed, Ayesha Ghous Pasha, Zarai Taraqiati Bank president, Bank of Punjab president and other senior officials attended the meeting.