Federal Minister for Finance Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the fifth meeting of the Access to Finance Steering Committee at the Finance Division. The session focused on evaluating the progress of various government-backed financing initiatives aimed at boosting economic activity and providing relief to citizens across multiple sectors.
During the briefing, the minister was informed that under the Prime Minister's Apna Ghar Scheme, Rs76 billion has been successfully disbursed to 13,214 borrowers. Furthermore, the committee noted that approved loans worth Rs350 billion are currently in the pipeline, awaiting disbursement to eligible applicants as the government seeks to accelerate housing development.
Regarding housing finance, the committee reviewed significant progress, noting that outstanding housing finance increased by Rs103 billion. The figures rose from Rs323 billion in June 2026 to Rs426 billion by the end of September 2026, with the total number of borrowers reaching 231,550.
This growth reflects a renewed interest in the housing sector. The committee held detailed discussions on measures to strengthen financing for both home buyers and the supply side, including developers and builders.
The finance minister emphasised the need for an effective builder-financing framework to ensure that construction projects do not stall due to liquidity issues. He called for coordinated efforts among relevant authorities and financial institutions to develop practical financing products.
These products are intended to address supply-side constraints and support the government's vision of providing affordable housing to the public. The committee also reviewed progress on Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) financing.
It noted a positive trend in lending, with outstanding SME finance increasing by Rs23 billion, rising from Rs1.114 trillion in June 2026 to over Rs1.137 trillion by the end of September 2026. On the agriculture finance front, the committee observed that outstanding credit increased by Rs94.7 billion.
The total credit volume grew from Rs1.26 trillion in June 2026 to over Rs1.35 trillion by the end of September 2026, indicating a robust support system for the farming community. The finance minister stressed the importance of ensuring that all government-supported financing schemes remain commercially sound.
He noted that fiscal discipline is essential for the long-term sustainability of these programs. Furthermore, the minister directed that these schemes must be appropriately targeted to reach the intended beneficiaries.
He stated that the government is committed to removing bureaucratic hurdles to facilitate easier access to credit for the common man. In his concluding remarks, Senator Aurangzeb appreciated the efforts of the steering committee and the State Bank of Pakistan.
He urged all stakeholders to maintain the momentum to achieve the broader economic targets set for the current fiscal year.