PM lifts personal loan cap to Rs25m under youth schemes

November 09, 2026 (MLN): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has raised the ceiling on personal loans under the Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Schemes from Rs7.5mn to Rs25mn, and has also ordered that 30% of the loans under both schemes be set aside for women and that the minimum eligibility age be lowered from 21 to 18 years.

The PM took these decisions while chairing a meeting in Islamabad to review the youth loan schemes, said a press release issued.

He described young people as a valuable national asset and said the government is committed to empowering them by tapping their potential and creating employment opportunities.

He directed the relevant authorities to run an awareness campaign on the schemes and other government initiatives so that the maximum number of young people can benefit.

The lower age limit, he said, will allow more youth to start businesses and take up agriculture.

The PM also asked the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to extend all possible support to borrowers under the schemes, including business consultancy guidance and technical assistance.

The meeting was told that Rs292bn has been allocated in the current financial year for lending to youth under these schemes.

It was also briefed that loans worth Rs313.9bn have been disbursed to young people since January 2023.

The participants discussed ways to empower youth, open up business opportunities and raise their participation in the agriculture sector.

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