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.

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 reviewed the latest position of SME financing and in this regard, the Minister called for a clear bank-wise plan to strengthen SME credit growth over the coming months.

The Minister was briefed on agriculture finance, and he emphasized the need to continue expanding outreach while ensuring that approvals translate efficiently into actual financing for farmers.

On housing finance, the Committee noted significant momentum under the Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Programme - Ghar Ho To Apna. The Finance Minister emphasized the importance of sustaining this momentum.

The meeting also reviewed progress under the Pakistan Accelerated Vehicle Electrification Programme.

In this connection, Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized that the focus must now be on accelerating delivery of electric bikes to beneficiaries whose financing has already been approved and disbursed, so that financial approvals translate more quickly into tangible outcomes on the ground.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized 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.