Islamabad, January 7, 2026 — Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday instructed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and commercial banks to simplify and expand credit mechanisms for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), new businesses, and small farmers. The prime minister emphasized that improving access to finance is a top government priority to boost economic growth and financial inclusion.
Addressing a high-level review meeting on SME and agricultural financing, PM Shehbaz Sharif highlighted the importance of priority financing for service providers to promote innovation in agriculture. He also directed that loans for modern machinery and technology be made more accessible to enhance productivity and competitiveness of SMEs and small farmers.
The prime minister instructed his Special Assistant on Industries and Production, Haroon Akhtar, and the SMEDA team to visit all provinces, including Gilgit-Baltistan and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, to coordinate with provincial governments and formulate a comprehensive SME facilitation policy. He stressed that SMEs are the backbone of developed economies and called for youth entrepreneurship programs to encourage business startups and expand economic activity.
Officials informed the meeting that private sector lending has improved significantly since 2021–22, with over 303,000 borrowers and total credit volume reaching Rs1.1 trillion by December 2025. Agricultural credit benefited an estimated three million farmers this year, covering crops, livestock, modern equipment, and fisheries.
The meeting also reviewed initiatives such as Punjab’s modern agricultural machinery program and SBP’s fully digital “Zarkhez-e App,” which is aiding small farmers nationwide. PM Shehbaz Sharif announced a sub-committee will soon develop actionable recommendations to further simplify credit access for SMEs and the agricultural sector, while he personally will monitor progress.
Key attendees included Deputy PM and Foreign Minister Senator Mohammad Ishaq Dar, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kiyani, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries, and senior federal officials.