PM assures merit in Kamyab Jawan Programme.

ISLAMABAD -- Prime Minister Imran Khan on Friday distributed cheques worth Rs5 million among applicants under the Kamyab Jawan Programme, as he termed transparency and merit the cornerstones of the loan scheme.

During the ceremony, cheques valuing up to Rs5 million were distributed amongst the youth, while Rs100 billion have been allocated in the first phase of the 'Kamyab Jawan Programme'.

Addressing the event in Islamabad, he said, 'I want cheques should be distributed on merit.'

Imran said that more than 190,000 women have applied for the loan under the Kamyab Jawan Programme.

The prime minister said that it is the duty of the government to provide business opportunities to the people and remove hurdles from their businesses.

He said the country's youth have pinned their hopes on the Kamyab Jawan Programme, adding that the biggest feature of this programme was to facilitate small and medium businesses.

The prime minister said that the government's duty was to not only create jobs but also 'stop hurdles that stand in the way of businesses'.

Giving example of Pakistani immigrants capturing textile markets in England, the PM said the small entrepreneurs in Pakistan failed to grow because of the lack of merit.

In the developed parts of the world, 'They [governments] facilitate them and provide them with opportunities to start their businesses so that any youngster with a drive to excel can improve their station in society. This is what we call a meritocracy.'

He said his government with its Naya Pakistan represented a new way of thinking -meritocracy. 'An online system will ensure there are no undue favours to anyone,' he said.

Focusing on small business setups, he said these business ventures were in most need of lifting because they lacked resources unlike the major industries.

'Big businesses have resources and can sidestep hurdles. But the backbone of the economy is the small business. And when society paves the way forward for such businesses, the country propels forward,' the PM added.

The SMEs also provide the...