Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directs provincial administrations to survey properties eligible for loans under the Apna Ghar Scheme as the government targets greater access to housing finance.
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif has directed provincial chief secretaries to conduct a comprehensive survey of properties that could qualify for loans under the government’s Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme.
Chairing a review meeting on the Access to Finance Plan 2026-28 on Wednesday, the prime minister said providing affordable housing to low-income and middle-class families remained a key government priority.
The meeting was informed that 147,504 applications had been received under the Apna Ghar Scheme so far, of which 53,127 applications had been approved.
The total value of approved applications has reached Rs313.42 billion, while loans worth Rs45.43 billion have been disbursed to 8,739 applicants.
Property survey planned for housing loans
A system is being developed to identify plots across Pakistan that meet mortgage requirements, with Islamabad selected as the pilot city.
The prime minister directed provincial administrations to carry out a comprehensive property survey to help identify suitable properties for prospective borrowers.
The meeting was also informed that a mechanism would be developed to involve leading housing developers in the scheme and further streamline the loan process.
Shehbaz Sharif urged banks and financial institutions to expand lending to farmers, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and the housing sector.
“The government would encourage banks that play an active role in providing loans,” he said.
The prime minister described agriculture as the backbone of Pakistan’s economy and directed authorities to ensure farmers have easy and uninterrupted access to financial resources.
Agriculture lending target set at Rs2 trillion
The meeting was informed that bank lending to the agriculture sector stood at Rs1.268 trillion in August 2026.
Under the Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028, the government has set a target of increasing agriculture lending to Rs2 trillion by June 2028.
Meanwhile, the Zarkhez-e app has received 35,838 applications seeking easier access to agricultural loans.
Of these, loans worth Rs7.35 billion have been approved, while Rs1.96 billion has been disbursed.
SME financing targeted at Rs2 trillion
Bank lending to the SME sector stood at Rs1.067 trillion as of August 2026, with the Access to Finance Plan targeting an increase to Rs2 trillion by June 2028.
The Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) also provided financial literacy training to 1,096 SMEs during the last three months.
The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Muhammad Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, Minister of State Bilal Azhar Kayani, State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries, representatives of international financial institutions, presidents and CEOs of Pakistani banks and senior government officials.