State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jamil Ahmed emphasized the importance of sustainable economic stability and comprehensive growth during his keynote address at the ninth annual microfinance conference in Karachi. The program, which was hosted by the Pakistan Microfinance Network, focuses on the role of the sector in “microfinance’s nis.
Governor Ahmed noted that despite temporary pressure from the recent floods, recent policy and regular measures have helped strengthen Pakistan’s economy, and inflation has declined sharply and despite temporary pressure from the recent floods, the government is likely to remain in 5-7 % of the rows during the mid-term. He highlighted that the country’s foreign exchange reserves are now five times higher than in January 2023, which supports strategic interbank purchases to strengthen buffers and reduce the need for expensive outdoor loans.
He also pointed to the speed of better dynamics and recovery growth of debt, which have more speedy expectations in the current financial year, even as the agriculture sector faces temporary shock from the flood damage.
Reflecting two decades of development, Ahmed confirmed the SBP commitment to microfinance, which as a comprehensive development tool. He announced a comprehensive review on the strategy rules for microfinance banks, which passed through rules based on principle. Key reforms eliminate restrictions on micro enterprise loans, introducing a dedicated agriculture and livestock loan category, and loan limits. Including Rs. 5 million for agriculture, micro enterprise, and accommodation, and RS. 500,000 for general loans.
The government also announced the launch of a climate risk fund under the World Bank’s financing and accessible microfinance project, which aims to help 2 million lenders with liquidity facilities to reduce climate shock. In addition, a new risk coverage scheme for small farmers and under -influenced areas will offer the first loss coverage and operational privileges to increase debt in regions like Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit -Baltistan.
Under the national financial inclusion strategy 2028, Ahmed has reported that financial inclusion in Pakistan increased from 47 % in 2018 to 67 % in June 2025, while the gender gap in financial access was reduced from 47 % to 30 %. They supported digital steps such as rest, easy Mobile The launch of account, bright digital account, and digital banks, as well as banking on equality policy for these benefits. The purpose of the SBP is to increase financial inclusion by 75 % and reduce the gender gap by 25 % by 2028.
Governor Ahmed called on microfinance agencies to strengthen risk management, adopt digital tools for credit scoring, enforce internal audits, and maintain proper liquidity. He emphasized the importance of long -term stability, the importance of Good Good governance, transparent communication, and climate risk maping.
He concluded, ending his commitment to work with the microfinance industry, to ensure that to strengthen flexibility, to enhance consumer safety and access, to ensure that microfinance promote and promote sustainable development in Pakistan.