In a decisive move aimed at revitalizing Pakistan’s agricultural sector, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has called for immediate reforms to streamline low-cost loan access for small and medium-sized farmers — a group he described as the backbone of the rural economy.
Chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad on Tuesday, the Prime Minister emphasized the urgent need to eliminate barriers that prevent small-scale farmers from obtaining affordable credit. “These farmers struggle disproportionately to secure low-interest loans. That has to change,” he said.
ZTBL in the Spotlight as Reforms Accelerate
At the center of this overhaul is Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), the country’s largest agri-lender. PM Shehbaz directed authorities to fast-track internal reforms at ZTBL to make the loan process more accessible, transparent, and farmer-friendly.
He also urged private banks to play a more proactive role in agricultural financing, encouraging them to offer concessional loans with simplified terms — a shift long demanded by rural communities but largely ignored by commercial financial institutions.
Monitoring Every Step of the Way
To ensure reforms don’t stall at the policy level, the Prime Minister announced he would personally review progress every three weeks. The move reflects his government’s intent to enforce accountability and maintain momentum on one of its key rural development promises.
Institutional Support as a Development Priority
Beyond just financial access, Shehbaz reiterated the government’s broader commitment to uplifting small farmers through what he called “institutional respect and support.” He linked improved agri-financing directly to national economic resilience and food security.
The meeting included detailed briefings on ZTBL’s current lending performance and proposals to enhance agricultural credit outreach. Participants also examined the underwhelming role of private banks in agri-lending, with a consensus that regulatory pressure may be required to bring them on board.
Who Was at the Table
The session was attended by senior federal ministers including Rana Tanveer Hussain and Ahsan Iqbal, advisors Muhammad Ali and Haroon Akhtar, State Ministers Bilal Azhar Kayani and Abdul Rehman Kanju, and State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad. Also present were MNA Iftikhar Nazir and PM’s Coordinator Musharraf Zaidi.
