Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed banks and financial institutions to increase lending. The focus will be on farmers, small businesses and housing.
Shehbaz Sharif issued the instructions while chairing a meeting on access to finance. The meeting reviewed financing opportunities for agriculture, housing and small and medium enterprises.
The prime minister said banks should improve access to credit for key economic sectors. He also said the government would encourage institutions that actively expand lending.
Agriculture received particular attention during the meeting. Shehbaz Sharif described agriculture as a major pillar of Pakistan’s economy.
He directed relevant institutions to ensure farmers receive financing without interruptions. The loans should also be available on affordable and easy terms.
The government also highlighted the need for affordable housing. The focus includes low-income and middle-class families seeking financial support.
Provincial chief secretaries were directed to conduct a detailed survey of properties. The survey will identify properties that may qualify for bank financing.
These properties could then be considered under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme. The initiative aims to improve access to housing finance for eligible applicants.
The meeting was given an update on applications received under the scheme. A total of 147,504 applications have been submitted so far.
Out of these applications, 53,127 have received approval. The approved applications have a combined value of Rs. 313.42 billion.
Banks have already disbursed Rs. 45.43 billion in loans under the scheme. The financing has reached 8,739 approved applicants.
Authorities are also working on another system related to housing finance. The system will identify plots that meet mortgage requirements across Pakistan.
The pilot phase of this system will be launched in Islamabad. The initiative could help improve access to financing for eligible property owners.
The meeting also reviewed lending to the small and medium enterprise sector. Bank financing for SMEs reached Rs. 1.067 trillion by August 2026.
The government has set a higher lending target for the coming years. Under the Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028, SME lending is expected to increase.
The target is to raise SME lending to Rs. 2 trillion by June 2028. The plan is intended to strengthen financing for businesses across the country.
The government’s latest instructions cover three important areas of the economy. These include agriculture, housing and small and medium enterprises.
The measures are aimed at improving access to formal financing. They also seek to encourage banks to expand credit for productive activities.
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The government is expected to continue monitoring progress under these financing initiatives. Increased lending could support farmers, businesses and households seeking affordable credit.
