Key Takeaways
- Over 53,000 loans approved under the Apna Ghar Scheme.
- Rs45.4bn disbursed to 8,739 applicants.
- Comprehensive survey to identify properties for loan facilitation.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has ordered a comprehensive survey of properties to facilitate loans under the Apna Ghar Scheme, aimed at providing affordable housing to low-income and middle-class segments. The PM presided over a meeting on the Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028, emphasizing the scheme's importance.
According to the meeting, 147,504 applications have been received so far, with 53,127 approved, amounting to a total value of Rs313.42 billion. Rs45.43 billion has been disbursed to 8,739 applicants, highlighting the scheme's progress.
The government is developing a system to identify plots across the country that meet mortgage requirements, with Islamabad serving as the pilot city. An effective mechanism will be devised to involve renowned housing developers, streamlining the Apna Ghar Scheme.
The PM also directed that easy and uninterrupted access to financial resources be ensured for farmers. The volume of bank lending to the agriculture sector stood at Rs1.268 trillion in August 2026, with a target of Rs2 trillion by June 2028 under the Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028.
Under the Zarkhez-e app, 35,838 applications have been received for easy access to loans, with Rs7.35 billion approved and Rs1.96 billion disbursed. The volume of bank lending to the SME sector stood at Rs1.067 trillion as of August 2026, with a target of Rs2 trillion by June 2028.
During the meeting, the PM urged banks and financial institutions to play their role in extending loans to farmers, SMEs, and the housing sector. The government would encourage banks that play an active role in providing loans, with the agriculture sector being the backbone of the country’s economy.
The meeting informed that the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) provided financial literacy training to 1,096 SMEs during the last three months. Deputy Prime Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers, World Bank Country Director Bolormaa Amgaabazar, and other senior government officials attended the meeting.
Later, the prime minister met with Iftikhar Ali Gillani, congratulating him on assuming office as the newly elected prime minister of Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK). PM Shehbaz assured full federal support to the AJK government for the welfare and well-being of its people.
