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Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has urged banks and financial institutions to expand lending to farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the housing sector.
He issued the direction while chairing a review meeting on the Access to Finance Plan 2026-28 in Islamabad.
The government has set a target of increasing agricultural financing to Rs2 trillion by June 2028.
The Prime Minister’s Office said the meeting reviewed progress in financing for agriculture, housing and SMEs.
Agricultural lending reached Rs1.268 trillion in August 2026, officials told the meeting.
The government plans to raise this figure to Rs2 trillion by June 2028.
Shehbaz Sharif said banks should play a stronger role in supporting farmers.
He also said the government would encourage banks that take a proactive approach to agricultural lending.
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“The agricultural sector is the backbone of the country’s economy, and working for its development is a national responsibility,” he said.
The prime minister also directed authorities to ensure easy and uninterrupted access to financing for farmers.
He called for loans on favourable terms to support agricultural activity.
The meeting reviewed progress through the Zarkhez-e digital lending platform.
Officials said the app had received 35,838 loan applications.
Banks had approved financing worth Rs7.35 billion. Of this amount, Rs1.96 billion had already been disbursed.
The government aims to improve digital access to agricultural financing through such platforms.
Shehbaz Sharif also reviewed progress under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme.
He said affordable housing for low- and middle-income families remained a government priority.
The prime minister directed provincial chief secretaries to conduct a detailed survey of properties eligible for bank financing.
Officials said the scheme had received 147,504 applications so far.
Banks had approved 53,127 applications with a combined value of Rs313.42 billion.
Loans worth Rs45.43 billion had been provided to 8,739 applicants.
A system is also being developed to identify plots that meet mortgage requirements.
Islamabad has been selected for the pilot phase of the system.
The government also plans to involve major housing developers in the scheme.
SME lending stood at Rs1.067 trillion in August 2026, according to the briefing.
The government has set a target of Rs2 trillion for SME financing by June 2028.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) has also expanded financial literacy efforts.
Officials said SMEDA provided financial literacy training to 1,096 SMEs during the previous three months.
The government views wider SME financing as important for business growth and employment.
The meeting brought together senior government officials, banking executives and representatives of international financial institutions.
Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar attended the meeting along with several federal ministers and senior officials.
State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad and chief secretaries from the provinces also participated.
Presidents and chief executives of Pakistani banks attended the session as well.
The government’s finance plan aims to expand access to credit across key sectors.
The focus on agriculture, SMEs and housing reflects an effort to channel more financing towards productive economic activity and household needs.
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