Government increases the financing limit under youth business and agriculture loan schemes, allocates Rs292 billion for 2026-27 and reserves 30% of loans for women.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has increased the maximum loan limit under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Schemes from Rs7.5 million to Rs25 million, with financing available on easy instalments.
The decision aims to promote youth entrepreneurship, agricultural development and employment opportunities across Pakistan.
According to a statement issued by the Prime Minister’s Office Media Wing, Shehbaz Sharif chaired a meeting to review the implementation of the youth loan schemes and assess progress in providing financial assistance to young people.
The government has allocated Rs292 billion for the current financial year to provide loans to young entrepreneurs and individuals interested in agricultural activities.
The prime minister also directed the authorities to reserve 30 per cent of loans for women to encourage their economic independence and participation in commercial activities.
Another significant decision was to reduce the minimum age requirement for obtaining loans from 21 to 18 years, enabling younger Pakistanis to establish businesses and pursue agricultural ventures.
Shehbaz Sharif instructed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to provide business guidance, counselling, technical assistance and support to applicants launching their enterprises.
He also directed the relevant authorities to initiate a nationwide awareness campaign to ensure maximum participation in the schemes.
During the meeting, officials informed the prime minister that 581,341 young people had received loans between January 2023 and November 2026, representing a tenfold increase compared with the preceding decade.
Loans worth Rs313.9 billion have been disbursed during this period.
For the 2026-27 financial year, the government expects to provide Rs292 billion in financing to approximately 266,700 young people.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan and Special Assistant on Political Affairs Talha Burki also attended the meeting.
Shehbaz Sharif reiterated that young people are Pakistan’s valuable national asset and that empowering them through financial assistance and employment opportunities remains a government priority.