MUZAFFARABAD (Kashmir English): In a major initiative for the youth of Azad Jammu and Kashmir, the government has received 35,000 applications for interest-free loans under the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Program.
According to the Small Industries Corporation, under this AJK interest-free loan scheme, funds will be issued in a transparent manner as per the district population, gender ratio, and State Bank policy so that the unemployed youth of Azad Kashmir can be involved in employment and economic activities.
A development scheme with a huge amount of one billion rupees has been approved for providing interest-free loans under the Prime Minister’s Youth Loan Program. This program has shown extraordinary interest among the youth, and record applications have been received within the stipulated period.
According to a press release issued by the Azad Small Industries Corporation, in the context of reports related to the Youth Loan Program on social media, it has been clarified that this project has been approved after the recommendations of the Cabinet Committee, the Development Committee of the Azad Kashmir Cabinet, and the formal approval of the Cabinet.
The main objective of the AJK interest-free loan scheme is to provide interest-free loans to the youth of Azad Kashmir, thereby giving them business opportunities and encouraging them towards self-employment.
An advertisement was issued in newspapers on December 10, 2025, for the provision of loans through the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir under this scheme, while the last date for submission of applications was January 20, 2026.
According to the department, a total of 35,000 applications were received online and manually from all the districts of Azad Kashmir, which shows the confidence of the youth and the effectiveness of this scheme.
The process of initial scrutiny of the applications received is underway, and the forms of the candidates who meet the required criteria will be sent to the Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir for financing by February 20, 2026.
The fee for the application form was fixed on the Punjab model. The Bank of Azad Jammu and Kashmir will start disbursing interest-free loans to eligible applicants in early March 2026 after a documentary review, business site visit, and technical and financial appraisal.
