Pakistan Link (27^th March 2004) states that The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has launched the second stage of their project in March of this year. The second phase is to look at partnerships through the private sector. In recognition of their commendable work, the World Bank has put US $238 million towards the funding of the project.

Added to this, the Daily Times (27^th March 2004) reports that the second phase of PPAF is to focus on developing financial and business solutions for the poor. Through further diversification into the health and education sectors, PPAF also hopes to up skill stakeholders and increase current loan options.

Paknews.com (12^th March 2004) says that Ashifa Riaz Fatyana, Punjab Minister for Women Development, has launched a new Microcredit scheme that will look to supporting under-privileged women in rural areas.

In the Daily Times (11^th February 2004), the Chairperson for the Regional Steering Committee of the Asia-Pacific, First Lady Sehba Mushraff, announced that the government is looking to establish a Women’s Business Incubation Centre. The role of the centre will be to provide training, support and assistance to rural women and also look to facilitate the establishment of new women-owned enterprises.

Pakistan Link (30^th January 2004) reports that Lisa Chiles, Director of the United States Agency for International Development, announced that USAID would be launching a new project that will look to provide credit and business development services to micro-entrepreneurs. The project is aimed at targeting small to medium sized enterprises.

The Daily Times (30^th January 2004) goes further to add that the size of the loans will range from between Rs 30,000 to Rs 100,000. The project shall be a joint venture between USAID and PPAF.