Aurangzeb chairs first Access to Finance meeting

Plan targets SMEs, agriculture, housing as committee reviews flagship schemes

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Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb. Photo: File

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ISLAMABAD:

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the first meeting of the Access to Finance Steering Committee, established to provide strategic oversight for the Prime Minister's Access to Finance Plan 2026-2028, according to an official statement issued on Monday.

The meeting focused on advancing affordable access to finance for priority sectors, including SMEs, agriculture, information technology, exports, renewable energy and housing. The committee reviewed a presentation covering governance structure, targeted outcomes and implementation workstreams aimed at expanding access to finance and strengthening financial inclusion. Updates were received on the SME Finance Sub-Committee and progress under flagship financing initiatives, including Zarkhez-e (Asaan Zarai Qarza), the Apna Ghar Scheme and the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification (PAVE) initiative.

The committee deliberated on a three-tier governance framework, including monthly updates to the prime minister, fortnightly strategic oversight through the steering committee and dedicated sectoral sub-committees on a weekly basis. Members also discussed the proposed reporting framework, including Resolution Target Dates and a structured escalation mechanism. The finance minister said the steering committee would serve as the central platform for strategic oversight and policy coordination, facilitating timely decision-making and addressing cross-cutting challenges. He emphasised that the committee should remain focused on delivering measurable outcomes. Updates were presented on Zarkhez-e, with particular focus on application, approval and disbursement trends across participating banks. Participants also reviewed the Apna Ghar Scheme and PAVE initiative.