In just three months, over 107,000 individuals in Punjab have received loans totaling Rs. 61 billion under the Punjab government’s easy business financing initiative. This marks a historic achievement, with 57,319 new businesses being launched during the 90-day period. Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz’s “Aasaan Karobar” (Easy Business) scheme has played a key role in facilitating these loans, which aim to boost the province’s entrepreneurial landscape.
Under the program, Rs. 23.91 billion in loans were disbursed to individuals starting new businesses. Notably, 6,753 women received loans totaling Rs. 3.42 billion, helping them run their own businesses for the first time. The scheme also introduced the Aasaan Karobar Card, which can now be activated via WhatsApp, making the process more accessible.
Maryam Nawaz has ordered swift processing of loan applications for both easy business finance and card loans. In a special meeting, she emphasized that these programs should continue without interruption, and she has requested plans for providing loans in the export and manufacturing sectors.
The scheme has already shown impressive results, with 74,579 applications for business finance. Of these, 2,505 were approved, granting loans to the successful applicants. Meanwhile, for the Aasaan Karobar Card, a total of 13,80,838 applications were received, and loans worth Rs. 43 billion were distributed to 104,133 individuals.
The loans were granted across various sectors, including transportation, trading, services, agriculture, food, beauty, and more. Among the most significant recipients, 61,996 people in services received Rs. 26.13 billion, and 24,522 in trading received Rs. 10.75 billion. The initiative has proved successful in creating new business opportunities and empowering both men and women to become self-sufficient entrepreneurs.