By Zeeshan Hussain
Karachi, The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) has concluded the 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X) in Karachi, bringing together government representatives, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and industry experts to discuss the future of financial inclusion in Pakistan. Organised in collaboration with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) under the European Union-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme, the two-day conference was held under the theme “Pathways for Inclusive Growth: Unlocking Synergies.” Addressing the conference virtually, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb called for a shift towards measuring the real economic impact of financial services, emphasising cash-flow-based lending, digital credit solutions and improved access to finance for farmers, small businesses and women. Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah stressed the need for financial products tailored to clients’ incomes, seasonal needs and risks, while welcoming the launch of PAIDAR Innovation Labs to develop financial solutions for underserved rural communities.
A major outcome of the conference was the expansion of the PAIDAR guarantee-based financing facility in partnership with the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGCL), increasing its funding from PKR 200 million to PKR 4.2 billion and expanding participation from three to eight financial institutions. The programme will support borrowers in Larkana, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Tharparkar, with women targeted to receive at least 50 per cent of the allocated financing. Another key development was the signing of a PKR 1 billion financing facility between the Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) under the PMIC–KfW Renewable Energy Initiative through Microfinance (PRIME) programme. Conference sessions also explored women’s access to finance, artificial intelligence, Islamic microfinance, digital financial services, climate resilience, regulatory challenges and the future of microfinance through 2035. State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah emphasised customer-centred innovation and sustainable financial services, while Kashf Foundation Managing Director Roshaneh Zafar highlighted mission drift and climate vulnerability as major challenges facing the sector.
The conference also recognised outstanding contributions to Pakistan’s financial inclusion landscape through the Pakistan Microfinance Awards 2026. HBL Microfinance Bank received the award for Best Microfinance Bank, while the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) was recognised in the Best Non-Banking Microfinance Company (NBMFC) category. Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib was honoured for pioneering and expanding Akhuwat’s dignity-based, interest-free financial inclusion model, while Naved A. Khan was recognised for his contributions to financial-sector leadership and innovative financing for microfinance institutions and underserved communities. Marking a decade of AMC, PMN reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships, advancing policy dialogue and promoting financial solutions that go beyond access to deliver measurable improvements in livelihoods, enterprise development and inclusive economic growth.
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