logo
Free solar electricity to be provided to poor families: Sindh govt increases loan limit for skilled women: Nasir

Free solar electricity to be provided to poor families: Sindh govt increases loan limit for skilled women: Nasir

KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced significant initiatives aimed at empowering skilled women and accelerating rural development across the province.
Sindh's Minister for Energy, Planning and Development, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, stated that the loan limit for skilled women has been increased to Rs 1.5 million, while free solar electricity will be provided to poor families in rural areas. Other consumers will be charged only Rs 10 per unit.
He made these remarks while addressing an event organized by the Sindh Rural Support Organization (SRSO) at the Arts Council Karachi. The event was attended by SRSO Chairperson Naheed Shah, Chairman of the Planning & Development Board Najam ul Hassan Shah, Arts Council President Ahmed Shah, Member Provincial Assembly Siraj Qasim, CEO Muhammad Danial Kalhoro, and several other notable personalities from various sectors.
Nasir Hussain Shah stated that the current SRSO program for skilled women is operational in 17 districts of Sindh, but as per the special directive of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari, the program will be expanded to all districts of the province. This will enable rural women and youth across Sindh to become self-reliant and economically stable.
He emphasized that the Sindh government's vision is clear: to empower citizens, eradicate poverty, and create local employment opportunities. This vision, he added, is being practically implemented under the leadership of Chairman Bilawal Bhutto Zardari.
The Minister further shared that mini-grid stations will be established in villages to ensure affordable and uninterrupted electricity supply, which will not only help address the energy crisis but also contribute significantly to the promotion of environmentally friendly energy solutions.
Commending the efforts of the Sindh Rural Support Organization, Nasir Hussain Shah said that the organization is not only generating employment but also playing a pivotal role in training, skill development, and promoting self-reliance among rural women, youth, and local communities.
He affirmed that the Sindh government highly values the services of SRSO and will continue to extend full support to its initiatives. He concluded by saying that the government is committed to accelerating development in underprivileged areas, with the dual aim of improving quality of life and enabling local communities to become self-sufficient through their own resources.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

Air travel to continue: Road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims banned
Air travel to continue: Road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims banned

Business Recorder

time16 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

Air travel to continue: Road travel for Arbaeen pilgrims banned

ISLAMABAD: In a move aimed at ensuring the safety of pilgrims, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi announced on Sunday that Pakistani citizens would be prohibited from travelling to Iran and Iraq by road for this year's Arbaeen pilgrimage due to ongoing security concerns. The minister announced the decision through a post on X, following a detailed briefing to Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister's Office, the prime minister instructed the Aviation Minister to facilitate the pilgrims by arranging special flights to Iran and Iraq. The meeting also delved into the prevailing law and order situation in the volatile Balochistan province, with the prime minister urging the interior minister to expedite the implementation of the Gwadar Safe City project. In a post on X, Naqvi explained that the decision was made after comprehensive consultations with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Balochistan government, and various security agencies. 'This difficult decision has been taken in the interest of public safety and national security,' he added. However, Naqvi confirmed that pilgrims would still be allowed to travel by air, and this move is expected to ease some concerns amid heightened security threats in regions bordering Afghanistan and Iran. Earlier in May, Pakistan and Iran had agreed to strengthen cooperation to ensure the smooth movement of religious pilgrims. This agreement includes keeping their shared border open 24 hours a day during Muharram and Safar, including the Arbaeen period. As part of the agreement, both countries have committed to increasing the number of flights available for pilgrims and have also explored the possibility of sea travel to alleviate congestion at land crossings. Tehran has also pledged to provide accommodation and meals for up to 5,000 Pakistani pilgrims in Mashhad during the peak season. Pakistan has faced a rise in terrorist attacks in recent years, particularly in the border provinces of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan, further complicating the safe passage of pilgrims during religious events. Each year, approximately 700,000 Pakistani pilgrims travel to Iraq to commemorate Arbaeen, a significant religious event marking the 40th day of mourning after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in Karbala. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

‘Agri development, farmer prosperity are top priorities of CM'
‘Agri development, farmer prosperity are top priorities of CM'

Business Recorder

time16 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

‘Agri development, farmer prosperity are top priorities of CM'

LAHORE: Minister for Agriculture Punjab, Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani, has stated that agricultural development and farmer prosperity are among the foremost priorities of the Chief Minister Punjab. The present government is implementing revolutionary programs aimed at uplifting the agriculture sector and ensuring farmer welfare, which have already begun yielding positive outcomes across the province. However, some elements are attempting to distort the facts and spread misconceptions regarding these historic initiatives of the Punjab government. Minister Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani highlighted that within just one month of taking office, the Chief Minister Punjab initiated multiple agricultural development programs worth Rs. 400 billion — f or the first time in the history of Province. These programs included interest-free loans worth of billions of rupees through Kisan Card, provision of thousands of tractors on subsidy under the Green Tractors Program, and provision of modern agricultural machinery with up to 60% subsidy and many other initiatives. He added that this is the only Government in Pakistan's history during which no fertilizer shortage has been witnessed. Fertilizer is available in abundance in the market at prices even lower than those fixed by the manufacturers. Artificial shortages, profiteering, and hoarding of fertilizers have been completely eradicated from the province. He clarified that, during the current season, all provincial governments ceased official wheat procurement under the IMF agreement; however, Punjab remains the only province that extended direct financial support of Rs. 14 billion to small wheat farmers. During just a short period of two months, more than Rs. 85 billion in interest-free loans have been disbursed to farmers across Punjab for the purchase of fertilizers, seeds, and pesticides for Kharif crops. Of this amount, farmers have already utilized over Rs. 45 billion for the purchase of fertilizers, pesticides, and diesel. Syed Ashiq Hussain Kirmani further elaborated on the landmark programs launched during the current fiscal year for the welfare of farmers and agricultural advancement. These include Rs. 200 billion in interest-free loans through the Kisan Card, subsidized provision of 20,000 tractors, solarization of over 10,000 agricultural tube wells, establishment of 10 model agriculture malls, recruitment of 2,000 young agriculture graduates to provide technical support in the field, improvement and lining of watercourses, and a Rs. 30 billion program for the distribution of modern agricultural machinery. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

SAU Syndicate approves academic, financial, governance reforms
SAU Syndicate approves academic, financial, governance reforms

Business Recorder

time17 hours ago

  • Business Recorder

SAU Syndicate approves academic, financial, governance reforms

HYDERABAD: The Syndicate of Sindh Agriculture University (SAU) Tandojam, chaired by Vice Chancellor Engr. Prof. Dr. Altaf Ali Siyal, convened a high-level meeting to review and approve a wide range of academic, financial, and administrative matters of institutional importance. The meeting commenced with unanimous confirmation of the minutes and approval of the implementation of decisions made during the 117th Syndicate meeting held on October 25, 2024. The Syndicate also endorsed various academic initiatives taken by the Vice Chancellor in recent months, aimed at enhancing academic continuity, strengthening educational delivery, and improving administrative efficiency. The Syndicate formally approved the university's annual accounts for the fiscal year 2023–24, along with the revised budget for 2024–25 and the budget estimates for 2025–26. These financial matters had previously been reviewed and recommended by the Finance and Planning Committee (FPC) in its meeting held on June 30, 2025. In accordance with the directives of the Government of Sindh, the forum ratified the implementation of the Ad-Hoc Relief Allowance 2025 and the increase in pensions for retired employees of the university. Additionally, the Third-Party Audit Report for the financial year 2023–24 was presented and formally approved. In support of staff welfare, the Syndicate approved an increase in the minimum wage for contingent and daily-wage workers in line with the provincial minimum wage policy. It also sanctioned an enhancement in impress and contingent allocations to sectional heads, with the objective of ensuring smooth and efficient functioning at the departmental level. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store