ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday ordered urgent reforms to make it easier for small and medium-scale farmers to access affordable agricultural loans, highlighting it as an essential move to increase crop productivity and uplift rural communities.
While chairing a high-level meeting, the prime minister stressed that small farmers deserve dignity and must be supported through easier access to low-interest loans.
“Small-scale farmers face immense challenges in securing low-cost loans,” said PM Shehbaz, adding, “Providing them with easier access to affordable credit is among the government’s top priorities.”
He directed officials to fast-track changes in Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) and urged private banks to actively support the agriculture sector by offering loans on easy terms.
The prime minister also said he would personally lead follow-up meetings every three weeks to ensure the progress of loan reforms and implementation at ZTBL.
Reaffirming his government’s commitment to agricultural development, he emphasized the need for strong institutional support and practical steps to help small farmers become more financially secure.
Officials gave the prime minister a detailed briefing on the current performance of ZTBL, its ongoing reforms, and new ideas to improve agricultural lending.
The meeting also reviewed how private banks are contributing to credit disbursement in the farming sector.
The session was attended by key cabinet members and senior officials, including Federal Ministers Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ahsan Iqbal, Advisors Muhammad Ali and Haroon Akhtar, State Ministers Bilal Azhar Kayani and Abdul Rehman Kanju, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, MNA Iftikhar Nazir, and PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi.