The Government of Pakistan, through the Poverty Alleviation & Social Safety Division, has launched the National Poverty Graduation Initiative (NPGI) under the Ehsaas program in an effort to assist low-income households and individuals in obtaining financial support. As a part of the program, the Government of Pakistan disperses 80,000 interest-free loans every month.
The purpose of this article is to provide a step-by-step explanation of how to obtain an interest-free loan under the Ehsaas program.
Features of the Interest Free Loan
The following are the salient features of the program:
- People with a poverty score above 40 are eligible for interest-free loans.
- Government funding is provided by the federal and provincial governments.
- The loan size ranges from PKR 20,000 to PKR 75,000.
- 50% of the loans are allocated to women.
- Focus on marginalized groups such as skilled youth, women, persons with disabilities, transgender communities, Benazir Income Support Program, Zakat and Bait-ul-Maal beneficiaries.
- Every month, 80,000 loans are disbursed through 1,100 loan centers throughout the country.
Eligibility
- Age between 18 to 60 years.
- Applicant should have a valid Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
- Resident of targeted union council of the district.
- Economically viable business plan.
How to Apply
- Find your nearest Loan Center and note down the details of the Focal Person and Loan Center (Search through your District or Tehsil or Union Council’s name in the Search Bar).
- Visit your Loan Center for further details.
- If you qualify, loan officer will fill your loan application form.
- The concerned staff will visit your home/area to verify your details.
- Loan officer will inform you if your application is approved.
- If there is no objection the loan will be processed between 2-4 weeks.
- The interest free loan cheque will be handed over to you at a scheduled time communicated to you by the loan officer.
You can visit the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) website for additional information on Ehsaas interest free loans here or call this number 051-111-000-102.