Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has increased the maximum financing limit under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme from Rs. 7.5 million to Rs. 25 million, expanding access to business and agricultural financing for young people across Pakistan.
The prime minister also directed authorities to reduce the minimum eligibility age from 21 to 18 years and reserve 30% of loans for women to encourage female entrepreneurship and financial independence.
The decisions were announced during a review meeting on November 8, 2026, where officials briefed the prime minister on the performance of the PM Youth Loan Scheme and its contribution to business development and agricultural activities.
According to the official announcement by Radio Pakistan, the revised financing limit is intended to help young entrepreneurs establish businesses, expand existing operations and participate in the agriculture sector through easier instalments.
Young people seeking financing under the Prime Minister’s Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme (PMYB&ALS) can submit their applications online through the official government portal. Physical application forms are not required.
How to Apply for the PM Youth Loan Scheme Online
Applicants can follow these steps to apply for the PM Youth Business Loan Scheme and agricultural financing facility.
- Visit the official application portal: Open the PM Youth Loan Scheme application form through the government website.
- Enter CNIC information: Provide your valid Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number and personal details. Make sure your date of birth matches your official NADRA record.
- Select the loan category: Choose the appropriate financing tier according to your business requirements or agricultural investment plan.
- Choose a participating bank: Select your preferred commercial, Islamic or participating financial institution from the available options. Participating institutions include the National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, Bank Alfalah and Sindh Bank.
- Provide business and financial details: Enter information about your proposed business, agricultural activities, financial requirements and personal circumstances.
- Upload supporting documents: Attach the required CNIC copy, recent photograph, business feasibility report (where applicable), and other requested documents.
- Review and submit the application: Check all information carefully before submitting the online form. The selected bank will contact eligible applicants for further assessment and processing.
Applicants should retain their application details for future correspondence with the bank.
PM Youth Loan Scheme Eligibility Criteria
The revised PM Youth Loan Scheme eligibility criteria expand access to financing by lowering the minimum age requirement from 21 to 18 years.
The main eligibility requirements include:
- Applicants must be Pakistani citizens holding a valid CNIC.
- The minimum age has been reduced from 21 to 18 years under the prime minister’s latest directive.
- Applicants must present a viable business proposal or agricultural investment plan.
- IT and e-commerce applicants should check the applicable educational requirements, including the matriculation or equivalent qualification condition where relevant.
- Government employees and financial defaulters are subject to the scheme’s exclusion criteria.
- Applicants must meet the additional requirements of their selected participating bank.
The government has also directed that 30% of loans be allocated to women, providing greater opportunities for female entrepreneurs to establish businesses and participate in agricultural activities.
The revised age requirement and lending conditions should be confirmed with the participating bank because the official application portal may take time to reflect the latest policy changes.
PM Youth Loan Scheme Tiers and Markup Rates
The revised financing ceiling under the scheme has increased to Rs. 25 million. According to the revised loan structure provided in the programme details, financing is divided into three categories.
| Loan tier | Financing limit | Markup rate |
|---|---|---|
| Tier 1 | Up to Rs. 1 million | 0% |
| Tier 2 | Up to Rs. 10 million | 5% |
| Tier 3 | Up to Rs. 25 million | 7% |
The financing is intended to support different business requirements, ranging from small start-ups and agricultural activities to larger investment projects.
The prime minister has directed authorities to provide loans through easy instalments to make financing more accessible to young entrepreneurs.
The government has also emphasised women’s participation by reserving 30% of the total loans for female applicants.
Applicants should confirm the revised tier limits, markup rates, repayment period and applicable conditions with their selected bank before submitting an application, as the online portal’s published information may not yet reflect all the latest changes.
SMEDA to Provide Business Consultancy and Technical Assistance
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (SMEDA) to provide comprehensive assistance to young people applying under the business and agriculture financing programmes.
The support will include business start-up guidance, professional consultancy, technical assistance and advice on developing viable business plans.
The initiative is intended to help applicants move beyond obtaining financing and establish sustainable businesses capable of generating employment and contributing to economic activity.
The prime minister also ordered a nationwide awareness campaign to inform young people about the PM Youth Business and Agriculture Loan Scheme, application procedures and other government initiatives aimed at creating business opportunities.
Over 581,000 Young People Receive Rs. 313.9 Billion in Loans
A briefing presented during the meeting revealed that 581,341 young people had received loans worth Rs. 313.9 billion since January 2023.
Officials said the number of beneficiaries was approximately ten times higher than the figure recorded during the preceding decade.
The government has allocated Rs. 292 billion for youth financing during the 2026-27 financial year. The amount is expected to support approximately 266,700 young people through the business and agriculture loan programmes.
The prime minister appreciated Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and his team for arranging financial support for young people interested in entrepreneurship and agricultural activities.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Youth Affairs Rana Mashhood Ahmed Khan and Special Assistant to the Prime Minister on Political Affairs Talha Burki also attended the meeting.
The expanded PM Youth Loan Scheme 2026 is part of the government’s broader effort to promote entrepreneurship, improve access to affordable financing and encourage young Pakistanis to establish businesses and contribute to the country’s economic development.
