Ehsaas Scheme: Women receive 46% of 1.2 million loans disbursed since July 2019

According to an official, a total of 490,368 interest free loans (46 percent loans to women) amounting to Rs17.50 billion have been disbursed to the borrowers during July- March Fiscal Year 2021.

The Ehsaas Interest Free Loans Scheme launched in July 2019 is a major component of the National Poverty Graduation Initiative with an aim to graduate the poorest households out of poverty and set them on a course of economic and social prosperity.

As part of Ehsaas framework, 80,000 interest free loans (50 percent women) are being disbursed every month across Pakistan to reach 2.28 million households over the next four years.

The range of loan size is Rs20,000-Rs75,000. Any Pakistani aged between 18-60 years belonging to 110 districts available on the PPAF website (www.ppaf.org.pk/NPGI.html) can apply for an interest free loan under the Ehsaas Initiatives.

Interest free loans are accessible through 1,100 existing loan centers operated by partnering organizations which are manned with competent people to guide the borrowers.

Overall 1,100 loan centers or branches have been established in about 110 districts by 24 partner organizations across the country.