Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the State Bank and commercial banks to develop a comprehensive strategy aimed at expanding small and medium-sized enterprises' access to bank loans.
The directive seeks to formalize credit channels for the SME sector, which remains a critical engine for job creation and economic diversification in the country.
The move follows recent efforts by the government to broaden its engagement with the private sector.
Federal Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has previously committed to intensifying consultations with trading and industrial leaders, positioning direct dialogue with business owners as a cornerstone of current economic policy.
Sharif’s instruction to the banking sector represents a concrete operational step in that broader outreach.
In outlining the administration's recent achievements, Sharif highlighted the role of the Small and Medium Enterprise Development Authority (SMEDA).