PM Shehbaz Orders Banks to Give Farmers More Money

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed banks and financial institutions to boost lending to farmers, small and medium enterprises (SMEs), and the housing sector. At a meeting focused on enhancing access to finance for these areas, the premier emphasized the government's commitment to encouraging banks that actively expand credit availability.

He underscored agriculture's crucial role in Pakistan's economy and pledged uninterrupted financing for farmers under favorable terms. Additionally, Shehbaz highlighted affordable housing for low-income and middle-class households as a top priority and directed provincial chief secretaries to conduct a thorough survey of properties eligible for bank financing under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme.

The meeting was briefed that 147,504 applications have been submitted under the scheme, with 53,127 approved. These approved applications amount to a total loan value of Rs. 313.42 billion, with Rs. 45.43 billion disbursed to 8,739 applicants. The meeting also learned that a system is being developed to pinpoint suitable plots nationwide for mortgage requirements.

A pilot project will commence in Islamabad. As of August 2026, bank lending to the SME sector totaled Rs. 1.067 trillion, with an ambitious target of reaching Rs. 2 trillion by June 2028 under the Access to Finance Plan 2026 to 2028.