PM Shehbaz directs SBP to simplify housing loan approvals, speed up disbursements

Profit reported that Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has instructed the central bank to make loan approvals and payouts easier, with housing finance a particular focus. He stressed narrowing the time between approval and actual disbursement, arguing that borrowers gain only once sanctioned funds reach them promptly. The instruction followed a meeting in Islamabad with heads of major commercial banks, where financing under the Apna Ghar Programme, SME lending and agricultural credit were reviewed.

Loans worth Rs426 billion have so far been sanctioned under the Apna Ghar Programme, with Rs76 billion released to borrowers. Officials set a Rs700 billion financing goal for FY2026-27, aimed at building or funding 125,000 homes, while talks on a framework to ease developers' access to credit continue. About 350,862 SME owners have drawn Rs1,137 billion in credit so far, and the goal is Rs1,500 billion for 565,000 businesspersons by June 2027.

By the close of September 2026, farm loans had reached Rs1,352 billion, benefiting 3,455,313 individuals, and the government aims for Rs1,500 billion and 4.5 million farmers by June 2027. Sharif stressed that small farmers should receive priority access to finance and said the country's largest bank ought to serve them too. The banking delegation, which included National Bank, United Bank, Habib Bank and Meezan Bank, voiced confidence in economic policy and pledged continued lending to priority sectors.