Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level review meeting in Islamabad today to discuss financial inclusion and the facilitation of loans for Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), startups, and small farmers. The meeting highlighted the government’s commitment to simplifying credit processes and promoting entrepreneurship to strengthen the economy.
During the session, the prime minister directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to take steps to make SME and agricultural loans more accessible. He emphasized that credit should be prioritized for service providers to promote modernization in agriculture. PM Shehbaz noted that SMEs form the backbone of the economy in developed countries and stressed the importance of providing similar support in Pakistan.
The prime minister also highlighted the role of youth entrepreneurship, instructing the government to provide training programs that foster new businesses and stimulate economic activity. Special Assistant to the PM Haroon Akhtar, along with the SMEDA team, was tasked with visiting all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu & Kashmir, to formulate a comprehensive policy for SME facilitation across the country.
Providing loans for modern technology acquisition in the private sector, particularly for SMEs and small farmers, was declared a top priority. PM Shehbaz announced that he would personally monitor progress and form a sub-committee to simplify loan procedures.
The meeting reviewed significant improvements in private sector lending. Compared to 2021-22, the number of private sector borrowers doubled by December 2025, crossing 303,000, with loan volumes reaching 1.1 trillion rupees. Loans benefiting farmers are projected to reach 3 million this year, up from 2.8 million in the previous year.
Commercial banks are prioritizing loans for new businesses and modern machinery, especially in sectors such as livestock and fisheries. To enhance digital financial access, the SBP has launched the fully digital ‘Zarkhaiz-e-App,’ aimed at facilitating loans for small farmers.
A training program on financial management and awareness for SMEs will be launched soon, while in Punjab, a program providing loans to service providers for modern agricultural machinery is already operational. These initiatives demonstrate a coordinated effort to bridge technology gaps in agriculture and strengthen small businesses.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Senator Ishaq Dar, Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, State Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, and chief secretaries from all provinces and regions, reflecting the federal and regional collaboration to advance financial accessibility and economic modernization.
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