📢 Rs. 8 Billion Allocated for Ehsaas Initiatives | Rs. 2 Billion for Nojawan Program | 100% Interest-Free Loans | 99.9% Recovery Rate | Special Provisions for Merged Districts
📋 What is the Ehsaas Nojawan Program?
The Ehsaas Nojawan Program (ENP) is a flagship youth empowerment initiative launched by the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa under the broader Ehsaas Initiatives umbrella. Led by Chief Minister Ali Amin Khan Gandapur, the program provides interest-free loans to young entrepreneurs across the province to help them start or expand their own businesses.
This is not a temporary relief scheme — it's a three-year program launched with an initial budget of Rs. 3 billion, with Rs. 1.1 billion allocated in the current fiscal year alone. The KPK government has now announced Rs. 8 billion for all Ehsaas initiatives, with Rs. 2 billion earmarked specifically for the Nojawan Program.
The program operates on a powerful principle: entrepreneurship over employment. Instead of waiting for jobs, young people in KPK are being equipped with the capital they need to become job creators themselves. And the results speak — the program has achieved a remarkable 99.9% loan recovery rate through its partner Akhuwat Foundation.
📊 Program Components — Two Pathways to Funding
The Ehsaas Nojawan Program operates through two distinct components, each designed for different scales of business:
🏦 Component 1: Bank of Khyber
Loan Amount: Rs. 1 Million to Rs. 5 Million
Eligibility: Clusters of 3-5 individuals aged 18-35
Repayment: 8 years with first 20 months as grace period
Budget: Rs. 500 Million allocated
Applications: 12,739 received, 191 approved
🤝 Component 2: Akhuwat Foundation
Loan Amount: Rs. 100,000 to Rs. 500,000
Eligibility: Individuals aged 18-40
Special Quotas: Women & Persons with Disabilities
Budget: Rs. 600 Million allocated
Recovery Rate: 99.9% — nearly perfect
📝 Note: Component 1 is designed for larger ventures by groups, while Component 2 targets individual micro-entrepreneurs and small businesses. An additional 1,745 applications are currently being processed under Component 2.
🎯 Special Provisions for Merged Districts
In a significant move for inclusive development, Chief Minister Gandapur has directed that:
- Dedicated Funds: Separate funds allocated specifically for beneficiaries from merged districts (former FATA areas) under all four Ehsaas initiatives
- Simplified Procedures: Loan disbursement procedures and requirements have been simplified for applicants from merged districts to ensure maximum participation
- Priority Focus: The CM emphasized that people of merged districts deserve special attention and efforts must be made to enable as many residents as possible to benefit within the current year
✅ Eligibility Criteria
- Domicile: Must be a resident of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa
- Age Limit:
- Component 1 (Bank of Khyber): 18 to 35 years
- Component 2 (Akhuwat): 18 to 40 years
- CNIC: Must possess a valid Computerized National Identity Card
- Business Plan: Must have a viable business idea or proposal
- Income Status: Priority is given to individuals from low-income or unemployed households
- No Default History: Applicants should not be defaulters of any financial institution
- Component 1 Specific: Must apply in a cluster of 3 to 5 individuals
- Special Quotas: Women and persons with disabilities receive reserved quotas under Component 2
📄 Required Documents
- Valid CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
- Domicile Certificate proving KPK residency
- Business Plan / Proposal detailing your business idea
- Recent passport-sized photographs
- Any relevant educational or experience certificates
📝 How to Apply — Online Registration
The application process is digital and user-friendly:
Step 1: Visit the Official Portal
Go to www.akhuwat.org.pk or the relevant KPK government website for the Ehsaas Nojawan Program registration link.
Step 2: Complete the Application Form
Fill out the online form with your accurate personal details, financial information, and business idea. Choose whether you're applying for Component 1 (group loan) or Component 2 (individual loan).
Step 3: Upload Required Documents
Upload scanned copies of your CNIC, domicile, and your business plan/proposal.
Step 4: Submit and Await Verification
Submit your application. The program authorities will review your application and contact you for verification and further guidance.
Step 5: Interview & Loan Disbursement
Shortlisted candidates may be called for an interview or follow-up meeting. Once approved, you'll be invited to a loan disbursement ceremony where cheques are formally distributed.
📊 Program Performance — By the Numbers
🎓 Recent Disbursement Ceremony (March 2026)
The 7th loan disbursement ceremony was held on 14 March 2026 at Peshawar Model Degree College, where interest-free loan cheques were distributed to 177 beneficiaries from across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The event was attended by the Secretary for Sports and Youth Affairs and Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib, founding chairman of Akhuwat Foundation, who highlighted the program's 99.9% recovery rate.
⚠️ Important Points to Remember
- 100% Interest-Free: Unlike other loan schemes, there is absolutely zero markup — you only repay the principal amount.
- Grace Period: Component 1 offers a 20-month grace period before repayments begin — your business gets time to stabilize.
- Registration is Free: There is no fee for applying or registering for the program.
- KPK Residents Only: This is a provincial program — only residents of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa are eligible.
- Merged Districts Priority: If you're from former FATA areas, simplified procedures and dedicated funds are available for you.
- 99.9% Recovery Rate: The near-perfect repayment rate shows that young entrepreneurs are succeeding and honoring their commitments.
📢 Ready to become an entrepreneur instead of waiting for a job? Apply now for the Ehsaas Nojawan Program and get the interest-free capital you need to start or expand your business in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa!
💼 Apply Now — Akhuwat Foundation