PM stresses SMEs, housing, agriculture as top priorities

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has told the State Bank of Pakistan and Finance Ministry to act against banks that delay lending under government programmes for small businesses, housing and agriculture. At a financing review in Islamabad, he called these areas central to economic growth and youth employment, and asked banks to support them more actively.

The meeting heard that loans approved under the Apna Ghar Programme total Rs511bn, while Rs91bn has been disbursed. Agriculture financing stood at Rs1,329bn and SME lending at Rs1,148bn; the government has set an end-FY2027 target of Rs1,500bn for each. The SBP also outlined work on regulatory changes, shared risk arrangements and digital access, including a portal for SME loan applications.