MINGORA: Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif said on Wednesday that people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, particularly Swatis, had rendered sacrifices for the establishment of durable peace in the region.

Addressing a function at Wadudia Hall in Saidu Sharif in connection with the `youth business loan programme` here, he said that youth were the asset of the country and the government would take appropriate steps for their uplift to lead them towards a prosperous future.

Mr Sharif said that he was the prime minister of the entire country and would serve the people regardless of their party affiliations.

He said that his government would continue to treat all citizens of the country equally.

The loan scheme is for whole nation, he said, adding that loans would be distributed among the provinces on the basis of population while people would get them on merit.

He said that the past governments neglected the youth. `We are providing opportunities to the youth for the first time so that they could be able to contribute to the country`s development, he said.

`All people of Pakistan have the right to get loans for fulfillment of theirneeds,` the prime minister said and added that banks were not for specific persons.

He said that the government had provided an opportunity to the youth to make their future bright.

He urged the youth to play their role in development of the country.

He inquired about applications from the applicants, and told them that the government had already relaxed conditions for loans. The scheme, he said, would be improved with the passage of time.

In his speech, the prime minister lauded the people of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Swat in particular, Pak army and other law-enforcement agencies` personnel for rendering sacrifices for restoring peace to the Swat district.

He said that people were rendered homeless, but they showed patience even in that difficult situation.

He said that the people of Swat were in dire need of financial support that could be provided to them through the loan scheme.

Mr Sharif condemned the recent attack on his adviser Amir Muqam.

Earlier, chairman board of governors of National Bank of Pakistan, Munir Kamal, briefed the audience about the PM`s Youth Loan Scheme while KP Governor Shaukatullah, Federal Minister for Information Parvalz Rashid, PML-N senior vice-president Amir Muqam and PML-N general secretary Iqbal Zafar Jahgra were present on the occasion.

The prime minister also visited `Sabaoon`, a de-radicalisation centre for former militants of Malakand division at Malakand protected area. Army chief General Raheel Sharif also accompanied him.