Islamabad: Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb has underscored that the access to finance framework should remain anchored in measurable progress, effective coordination, and timely implementation. He was chairing the fourth meeting of the Access to Finance Steering Committee in Islamabad today.

According to Radio Pakistan, during the meeting, progress on initiatives aimed at expanding affordable and inclusive finance across priority sectors, including SMEs, agriculture, information technology, exports, renewable energy, and housing, was reviewed. The Committee examined the latest position of SME financing, with the Minister calling for a clear bank-wise plan to strengthen SME credit growth over the coming months.

The Minister was briefed on agriculture finance, emphasizing the need to continue expanding outreach while ensuring that approvals efficiently translate into actual financing for farmers. In the area of housing finance, the Committee noted significant momentum under the Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Programme - Ghar Ho To Apna. The Finance Minister stressed the importance of sustaining this momentum.

The meeting also reviewed progress under the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification Programme. In this regard, Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the need to accelerate the delivery of electric bikes to beneficiaries whose financing has already been approved and disbursed, ensuring that financial approvals quickly result in tangible outcomes.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb highlighted that expanding access to finance requires coordinated action across the financial ecosystem, alongside measures to improve the capacity and bankability of SMEs and other underserved segments.