ISLAMABAD, August 27: Adviser to the Finance Minister Khurram Shehzad has said that financial access is gradually expanding across Pakistan, with increased financing for housing, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), electric vehicles and exports.
In a statement posted on social media platform X on Thursday, he said the latest developments since June 2026 reflected significant improvement across key sectors, with the government seeking to bring more individuals, farmers and businesses into the formal financial system and provide them with greater opportunities for growth.
Housing Finance
Khurram Shehzad said approvals under the Apna Ghar Housing Finance Programme had increased by 84 percent, while the volume of approved financing had nearly doubled to Rs280 billion.
Housing loan disbursements also recorded a 59 percent increase, enabling more families to access formal financing for the construction or purchase of homes.
Agricultural Financing
In the agricultural sector, approximately 115,000 new borrowers have received financial facilities.
Under the Zarkhez-e Agriculture Financing Programme, loan approvals increased by 12 percent, while disbursements rose by 13 percent, providing farmers with additional resources to expand production and agricultural activities.
SME Financing
Formal financial access for small and medium-sized businesses has also expanded, with approximately 330,000 businesses currently benefiting from Rs1.05 trillion in formal financing, according to the adviser.
He said the introduction of new credit-scoring models was making it easier for businesses that previously faced difficulties obtaining bank financing to access credit.
Support for Exports
The export sector is also being provided with more effectively linked financial support covering working capital, new investment, refinancing and export incentives.
According to Khurram Shehzad, the measures are aimed at increasing domestic productive capacity and strengthening Pakistan’s competitiveness in international markets.
Green Finance and Electric Vehicles
Progress has also been recorded in green finance. Approvals under the PAVE programme increased by 24 percent, while financial disbursements rose by 34 percent.
The delivery of electric vehicles has increased by more than three times, reflecting growing momentum towards environmentally friendly transportation and sustainable investment.
Khurram Shehzad said the broader objective was to create a positive economic cycle in which greater access to finance leads to increased investment, higher production, expanded employment and stronger exports, ultimately supporting sustainable economic growth.
He described the developments as going beyond financial inclusion, saying they represented an important step towards economic inclusion by empowering individuals, expanding opportunities for businesses and supporting Pakistan’s transition towards a stronger, competitive and export-oriented economy.
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