Ali Amin Gandapur, the Chief Minister of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, has made a significant decision by announcing the launch of the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Programme’ aimed at promoting self-employment in the province. This initiative seeks to provide soft loans to skilled youth, enabling them to establish their own businesses.
During the inaugural meeting of the Sports & Youth Affairs Department at the Chief Minister’s House in Peshawar, it was agreed to commence the programme with an initial budget of Rs1.00 billion. A notable aspect of this initiative is that the soft loans will be extended to groups of skilled youth interested in entrepreneurship, rather than to individuals. Each group will be eligible for loans ranging from Rs2.00 million to Rs10.00 million.
The Chief Minister has instructed the relevant authorities to prepare the implementation strategy for this flagship programme. The primary goal is to assist talented and skilled youth in establishing businesses that align with their professional aptitude and capabilities. Employment generation is a key priority for the government, and the programme aims to provide support to skilled youth across the province.
In addition to the Youth Entrepreneurship Programme, the Chief Minister has also given approval for the Youth Skill Development and Employment Programme. The directive is to ensure that youth from all districts in the province are given the opportunity, with quotas being allocated based on district populations. The initial phase of the programme will provide specialized technical and vocational training to 20,000 youth, with an emphasis on facilitating employment within the country and abroad.
Furthermore, the Chief Minister has sanctioned initiatives under the Youth Education Programme, which will include IT scholarships, establishment of Incubation Centres, E-Learning facilities, career counseling, and access to global educational institutions. The programme will also provide certification in advanced courses in Digital Skills and offer merit-based internships in market-driven disciplines.
The province will also witness the establishment of playgrounds at Tehsil Headquarters, with formal letters being issued to District Commissioners to identify suitable land for this purpose. Additionally, there are plans to promote traditional games and sports, with a specific focus on developing a provincial polo team and organizing a Horse and Cattle Show in Peshawar.
The Chief Minister emphasized the need for practical measures in promoting traditional games such as tent pegging, archery, and swimming, underscoring the rich talent present in these areas. Furthermore, steps are being taken to provide shooting clubs, riders clubs, and other necessary facilities in the province.
Ali Amin Gandapur also stressed the completion of ongoing sports infrastructure projects, including stadiums in Peshawar, D I Khan, and Kalam. He also directed that these projects should be integrated into the development portfolio supported by the World Bank and Asian Development Bank.
The province is preparing for upcoming sports events, with inter-regional games and provincial coaching camps on the horizon. These events are expected to provide a platform for training and preparing players for participation in inter-provincial games.
The decision to launch the ‘Youth Entrepreneurship Programme’ and other youth-centric initiatives exemplifies the government’s commitment to fostering economic growth and harnessing the potential of young, skilled individuals in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.