Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed banks and financial institutions to ensure the provision of loans on easy terms to farmers, low-income groups, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the housing sector.
The prime minister issued the directives while chairing a review meeting on access to financial resources, where he reviewed the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme as well as financing initiatives for agriculture and SMEs.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said banks and financial institutions should play an effective role in providing financing to farmers, SMEs and people seeking housing.
He said the government would encourage banks that play their full role in expanding access to loans and supporting key sectors of the economy.
The meeting was also briefed on measures being taken to improve financing for the housing, agriculture and SME sectors.
Farmers to get easier access to financing
The prime minister described the agriculture sector as the backbone of the country’s economy and said working for its development and promotion was a national responsibility. He directed the relevant authorities to ensure that farmers can access financial resources without unnecessary obstacles and on easy terms.
The government is seeking to improve access to financing for farmers so they can meet their financial needs and contribute to the growth of the agricultural sector.
Affordable housing remains priority
Prime Minister Sharif said providing affordable housing to low-income and middle-class families remains a priority for the government.
During the meeting, the Apna Ghar Scheme was reviewed alongside measures aimed at expanding housing finance and making it easier for people to access loans for homes.
The prime minister also directed provincial chief secretaries to conduct a comprehensive survey of government properties where banks could provide loans to home seekers under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme.
Focus on SMEs, economic growth
Financing for small and medium-sized enterprises was also reviewed during the meeting, with the government stressing the need for greater access to financial resources for the sector.
The prime minister called on banks and financial institutions to play an effective role in supporting SMEs, agriculture and housing, while reiterating that financial institutions that actively contribute to lending would be encouraged by the government.
The meeting was briefed on the steps being taken to facilitate financing across all three sectors.
Identify suitable properties
The prime minister’s directive to provincial chief secretaries includes a comprehensive assessment of government-owned properties that could potentially support housing finance under the Apna Ghar Scheme.
The survey is aimed at identifying properties where banks can facilitate loans for people seeking homes, particularly those from low-income and middle-class groups.
