Punjab’s loan skyrockets by Rs 405 Billion in 38 days under CM Maryam.
The Province of Punjab has emerged as the biggest borrower among all provinces, securing a staggering Rs. 405 billion loan from the State Bank in just the first 38 days (July 1 to August 8, 2025) of the current fiscal year (2025-26).
While the federal government is restricted by IMF conditions from borrowing directly from the State Bank, provincial governments continue to rely heavily on central bank financing.
20-25 times higher than other provinces
Punjab leads the pack, with its borrowing almost 25 times higher than Balochistan and more than 20 times higher than Sindh during the same period.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Punjab borrowed Rs. 405 billion, Sindh Rs. 16 billion, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Rs. 21 billion, and Balochistan Rs. 13 billion during the first 38 days of FY2025-26.
Meanwhile, State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) continued to bleed financially, forcing them to borrow an additional Rs. 65 billion from commercial banks just to stay afloat.
The total outstanding debt of these loss-making SOEs has now soared beyond Rs. 2,166 billion. Punjab’s loan skyrockets by Rs 405 Billion in 38 days under CM Maryam.
At the same time, the federal government, despite its limitations, managed to repay Rs 55 billion to the State Bank, reducing its outstanding debt to Rs 5,269 billion as of June 30, 2025.
