ISLAMABAD – August 6, 2025:
In a decisive move to uplift Pakistan’s agricultural sector, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to introduce immediate reforms aimed at making low-cost agricultural loans more accessible to small and medium-scale farmers. The prime minister called credit access a cornerstone for rural productivity and economic dignity.
Chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the premier expressed concern over the persistent hurdles small farmers face in obtaining affordable loans. “Our small-scale farmers deserve respect, not red tape,” he remarked. “Providing them with easy access to credit is not just an economic priority—it’s a moral obligation.”
The Prime Minister instructed that the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) undergo urgent reforms to enhance its outreach and efficiency. He also urged private banks to take a more active role in offering concessional loans to the agriculture sector under simplified terms.
To ensure sustained progress, the premier announced that he would personally review the implementation of these initiatives every three weeks, keeping a close eye on reforms at ZTBL and related institutions.
Officials briefed the meeting on ongoing efforts to reform ZTBL and shared proposals to strengthen the bank’s agricultural lending portfolio. Discussions also focused on strategies to encourage greater involvement from private financial institutions in agri-credit disbursement.
Focus on SMEs: “Empowering them means empowering Pakistan”
In a separate session, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif chaired a steering committee meeting of the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA), reiterating his government’s unwavering commitment to the growth of small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
Calling SMEs the backbone of innovation, employment, and inclusive growth, the premier said, “If we want to strengthen Pakistan’s economy, we must strengthen its SMEs.”
He stressed that the government is actively working to implement reforms that will support small businesses, especially those operating in challenging environments. A key development discussed was the reclassification of businesses with an annual turnover of up to Rs30 million as micro-enterprises, bringing them under SMEDA’s domain for targeted support.
Officials from SMEDA briefed the committee on ongoing initiatives and recent policy changes intended to enhance the SME ecosystem across the country.
