CM's self-employment scheme - a success story

Today, more families of Punjab will join a journey to the prosperity and self-respect, set for them by their loving Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif in the form of CM's Self-Employment Scheme (CMSES). Just in one year, 1.3 million deprived families of the province have gotten respectable position in society by virtue of this landmark initiative of the Punjab government. Once looked impossible has become a reality now. Poverty alleviation drive saw new dimensions making Punjab a precedent for others. Arguably, this is an innovative programme for poverty alleviation, overcoming unemployment and enabling the poor to stand on their feet in a venerable manner.
Last year, on January 05, 2016, the CM Shahbaz Sharif kicked-off this programme by distributing Rs 1 billion interest-free loans among 25,000 needy families at Badshahi Mosque Lahore. A target of Rs 40 billion was set to be distributed among 2 million families of the province in the next three years to make them economically independent. Since then Rs 2.6 billion has been distributed among the beneficiaries in the form of interest-free loans with the help of famous NGO Akhuwat and Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC).
On the launching ceremony, the CM Punjab was highly optimistic about the success of the project as he said, "Elimination of poverty is the vision of Prime Minister of Pakistan Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and we will continue utmost efforts to end unemployment, poverty and illiteracy from the country. These interest-free loans are being given irrespective of any consideration of religion, sect, political association, caste and faith. The scheme aims at promoting the self-reliance through deployment of skills and training. I am confident it will change the course of history in respect of poverty alleviation as we are ensuring merit, transparency and proper utilization of national wealth in Punjab. Such welfare programs would be continued for improving the living standard of the poor." Shahbaz Sharif comparing the poor with the elite of the country said, "There are such patriotic Pakistanis who have received interest-free small loans but are trying to fortify the foundations of the country while on the other hand there are so-called privileged that have seized billions of rupees of the poor nation in the form of loan. Those who oppose public welfare program can do so but the government will continue to serve the people. Billions and billions of rupees will be allocated for the betterment of those who are striving for progress and development of the country."
Provincial Minister for Industries, Commerce & Investment Sheikh Alauddin said through a special message on this occasion that poor people have as much right over national resources as the rich. He said that disparity between the poor and the rich is a big obstacle in the way of progress and development and fair distribution of wealth has to be ensured. Applauding the CM's efforts, the minister said, "Chief Minister's Self-Employment Scheme has been launched for those who could start their own business and support their families instead of being a burden on society. This Scheme is reflecting love of Shahbaz Sharif with his people. Chief Minister Punjab has keen interest to eliminate poverty and often grieves at the suffering of the people. Through collective efforts, Pakistan will be made such a welfare state which could mitigate the problems of the people and provide them basic facilities". He also lauded efforts of PSIC and Akhuwat on making the CMSES a great success.
By distributing interest-free loans in mosque, Shahbaz Sharif has dedicatedly revived impressive tradition of early Islam. On the other hand, the historic Minar-e-Pakistan, where Pakistan Resolution was presented in 1940, reminds us the real objectives of establishment of Pakistan - a country where all masses will get equal opportunities of justice, education, health and employment for which Punjab government is showing exemplary accomplishment.
The repayment rate of these loans has been recorded almost 100% that makes the scheme a huge success. Evidently, the performance rate of the programme in the first year is double the target set last year leaving an easy target of 0.7 million families to get loans of Rs 1.4 million in the next two years. Thus it may be regarded that this is the biggest programme of Qarz-e-Hasna in the world giving a big hope to the destitute. It has taken the form of a movement and revolution and it was a splendid program to bridge up the gulf between the rich and the poor. A beneficiary while narrating his story declared that interest free loans had changed his life and now he had stood on his feet. He said that his children were living with dignity and all that was due to the provision of interest free loan under CM self employment scheme.
In short, the Punjab government under the leadership of Shahbaz Sharif is striving to materialize the dreams of Allama Muhammad Iqbal and Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah who formed Pakistan to make it a welfare state. Shahbaz Sharif is showing a strong resolve to transform Pakistan into a real welfare state and changing the obsolete system through collective wisdom, principles of hard work and honesty.
(The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the newspaper)