Latest news with #ZTBL
Business Recorder
5 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Medium- and small-scale agri activities: PM for easy lending policy
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Thursday called for urgent measures to revitalise the country's struggling agricultural sector, stressing the need for a bold roadmap to provide easy loans and advanced technology to small and medium farmers, particularly those owning less than 12 acres. Chairing a high-level review meeting on national agricultural development and financing, Sharif directed officials to present a comprehensive plan by the end of the month aimed at facilitating farmers' access to easy-term loans for modern agricultural equipment, artificial intelligence technologies, and quality seeds. He emphasised the importance of improving farmers' access to small-scale industrial machinery to process produce into export-ready products, underlining that agricultural development and value addition are critical to Pakistan's overall progress. SME, agri financing: Aurangzeb lauds SBP and banks for stellar growth 'The development of Pakistan is closely linked to the agricultural sector and the value addition of farmers' produce,' Sharif said, noting that supporting small farmers remains a top priority for agricultural growth. 'The government is accelerating reforms to provide farmers with modern equipment, quality seeds, AI tools, improved water management systems, on-farm small industries, and other essential facilities,' he added. These reforms also include measures to offer farmers necessary facilities and training to boost exports through the processing of agricultural commodities. During the meeting, officials presented detailed briefing on ongoing reforms in the agricultural sector, the performance of the Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL), and loan disbursement efforts. Sharif instructed the development and timely submission of comprehensive plans to introduce a modernised agri-financing system that ensures farmers receive loans on easy terms. The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar, federal ministers Ahad Cheema and Rana Tanveer Hussain, Adviser to the Prime Minister Muhammad Ali, Ministers of State Bilal Kiani and Abdul Rehman Kanju, Special Assistant Haroon Akhtar, State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, and other senior officials. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Agri reforms in Pakistan on the cards
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged sweeping reforms aimed at revitalising the country's struggling agriculture sector, starting with measures to improve access to credit for farmers and the adoption of a public-private partnership model for agricultural financing. Chairing marathon meetings focused on agricultural development, Sharif said urgent reforms at the state-owned Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) would be undertaken to ensure transparent and easy access to agricultural loans. He said agricultural projects would be prioritised under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) that began in July, with a focus on mechanisation, digitisation, and improving the business environment for farmers. The strategy aims to boost agricultural productivity, reduce costs, and support rural livelihoods, Sharif added. PM advocates agri reforms, increased output 'Sustainable reforms in the agricultural sector will further boost the national economy,' Sharif told participants, adding that reforms would extend beyond crops to include the livestock sector. 'Both the federal and provincial governments will work together to implement these changes.' Sharif said a comprehensive national strategy would be developed in coordination with provincial governments, and stressed that agricultural zoning and value chain strategies would be used to increase exports and align the sector with modern global standards. He also underscored the importance of including small landholders in technological advancements. The prime minister highlighted the planned rollout of digital platforms to keep farmers informed about agricultural innovations and policy directions, and said experts' input would be critical in shaping long- and short-term strategies. Proposals presented during the meeting included increasing storage capacity for agricultural commodities, boosting production, building agricultural infrastructure, and creating a transparent and business-friendly regulatory framework. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
ZTBL refutes media reports
ISLAMABAD: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) on Wednesday refuted media reports that misrepresented its position on missing and burnt loan files, following proceedings of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC). In a statement issued here, ZTBL said 27,537 loan files were destroyed in 2007 during protests after the tragic assassination of ex-prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The bank has since reconstructed records, reducing the number of burnt files to 5,201 by recovering outstanding loan amounts. The outstanding and recoverable amount linked to these 5,201 burnt and an additional 790 missing files – out of over 600,000 borrowers – is approximately Rs1.167 billion, averaging less than Rs195,000 per borrower. The bank emphasised that all these loans are small-scale agricultural loans, and the bank is in the process of recovering or adjusting the residual amounts. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
10-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
Agri reforms on the cards
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Wednesday pledged sweeping reforms aimed at revitalising the country's struggling agriculture sector, starting with measures to improve access to credit for farmers and the adoption of a public-private partnership model for agricultural financing. Chairing marathon meetings focused on agricultural development, Sharif said urgent reforms at the state-owned Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) would be undertaken to ensure transparent and easy access to agricultural loans. He said agricultural projects would be prioritised under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) that began in July, with a focus on mechanisation, digitisation, and improving the business environment for farmers. The strategy aims to boost agricultural productivity, reduce costs, and support rural livelihoods, Sharif added. PM advocates agri reforms, increased output 'Sustainable reforms in the agricultural sector will further boost the national economy,' Sharif told participants, adding that reforms would extend beyond crops to include the livestock sector. 'Both the federal and provincial governments will work together to implement these changes.' Sharif said a comprehensive national strategy would be developed in coordination with provincial governments, and stressed that agricultural zoning and value chain strategies would be used to increase exports and align the sector with modern global standards. He also underscored the importance of including small landholders in technological advancements. The prime minister highlighted the planned rollout of digital platforms to keep farmers informed about agricultural innovations and policy directions, and said experts' input would be critical in shaping long- and short-term strategies. Proposals presented during the meeting included increasing storage capacity for agricultural commodities, boosting production, building agricultural infrastructure, and creating a transparent and business-friendly regulatory framework. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Business Recorder
09-07-2025
- Business
- Business Recorder
‘Stance of ZTBL misreported'
ISLAMABAD: Referring to the proceedings of Public Accounts Committee (PAC) held on Tuesday (July 8, 2025), a section of electronic media has misreported the stance of Zarai Taraqiati Bank Ltd (ZTBL) regarding missing/burnt loan files and amounts outstanding against these cases. The fact is that as many as 27,537 loan case files were burnt in 2007 by protesters after the assassination of former prime minister Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Shaheed. The number of burnt files has gradually been reconstructed and reduced to 5201 by recovering the outstanding loan amount. The amount outstanding and recoverable against the remaining 5201 burnt and 790 missing files (out of over 600,000 borrowers) is Rs1,167 million only, which comes to less than Rs195,000/- per borrower as all these loans are small loans to farmers. As stated above ZTBL is recovering/adjusting residual amount in all above such cases in due course of time accordingly. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
