The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) has concluded the 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X) in Karachi.
The two-day conference brought together government officials, regulators, financial institutions, development partners and industry experts.
The event focused on the next phase of financial inclusion in Pakistan.
PMN organised AMC-X with the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO). The conference was held under the EU-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) programme.
The conference marked a decade of AMC as a national platform for policy dialogue and industry collaboration.
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Held under the theme “Pathways for Inclusive Growth: Unlocking Synergies,” the conference called for a shift beyond financial access.
Participants stressed client progression, resilience and measurable economic outcomes.
The discussions focused particularly on women, farmers, microenterprises and underserved rural communities.
Finance Minister Calls for Outcome-Based Lending
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb addressed the conference virtually.
He linked financial inclusion with Pakistan’s transition from economic stabilisation towards sustainable growth.
Aurangzeb called for greater use of cash-flow-based lending instead of collateral-based lending.
He also highlighted digital credit tools and alternative data.
These approaches, he said, could bring more borrowers into formal finance, particularly in agriculture and small and medium-sized enterprises.
He urged the sector to measure outcomes rather than lending volumes alone.
He highlighted borrower graduation, job creation and women’s economic participation as key indicators.
PMN Seeks Mainstreaming of Microfinance
PMN Chairman and HBL Microfinance Bank President and CEO Amir Khan opened AMC-X.
He called for microfinance to become part of the wider financial system.
“The principle behind everything to follow is to mainstream microfinance into the financial ecosystem, not a parallel track,” he said.
Khan said the sector should assess its progress through client outcomes.
He said stronger businesses, asset creation and financial independence should become key measures of success.
Sindh Highlights Client-Centred Finance
EU Pakistan Head of Cooperation Jeroen Willems addressed the conference virtually on its second day.
He welcomed Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah and reaffirmed EU cooperation in Sindh’s development.
Murad Ali Shah said financial inclusion must move beyond access.
He called for financial products that reflect clients’ incomes, seasons and risks.
The chief minister also stressed early cooperation between government, lenders and development partners.
He said such coordination could improve efforts to tackle poverty and support enterprise development.
Murad welcomed the launch of the PAIDAR Innovation Labs.
The initiative will bring financial institutions and rural enterprises together.
They will co-design and test financial products for underserved markets in Sindh.
PAIDAR Financing Facility Expanded
A major AMC-X outcome was the expansion of the PAIDAR guarantee-based financing facility.
The facility is being implemented with the National Credit Guarantee Company Limited (NCGCL).
Under Phase II, financing will increase from PKR 200 million to PKR 4.2 billion.
Participation will also expand from three to eight financial institutions.
The programme will cover borrowers in Larkana, Badin, Thatta, Sujawal and Tharparkar.
Women will account for at least 50% of the allocated financing.
NCGCL will provide risk-sharing support for direct microenterprise lending.
It will also provide guarantees for commercial bank and development finance institution credit lines to microfinance institutions.
The facility is supported by a €2 million grant under the EU-funded UNIDO PAIDAR programme.
The grant will support beneficiary identification, technical assistance and mark-up support.
PKR 1 Billion Renewable Energy Facility Signed
Another key outcome was the signing of a PKR 1 billion financing facility.
Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and the National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) signed the agreement.
The facility comes under the PMIC-KfW Renewable Energy Initiative through Microfinance (PRIME) Programme.
Industry Focuses on Women and Climate Resilience
AMC-X sessions covered emerging trends across the microfinance sector.
Discussions examined women’s access to finance, regulation, artificial intelligence and climate resilience.
Participants also discussed Islamic microfinance, digital platforms and liquidity.
The future of microfinance through 2035 also featured prominently.
A recurring message was the need to measure financial inclusion through actual usage.
Participants also highlighted economic progression and improvements in clients’ lives.
State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah stressed customer-centred innovation.
He also highlighted commercial sustainability and meaningful financial inclusion.
Kashf Foundation Managing Director Roshaneh Zafar highlighted two major risks for the sector.
She identified mission drift and climate vulnerability as key challenges.
Sessions on women’s finance called for greater focus on agency, control and financial independence.
Discussions on the sector’s future also highlighted customer graduation, productive finance, savings and insurance.
HBL Microfinance Bank Wins Top Award
AMC-X also featured the Pakistan Microfinance Awards 2026.
HBL Microfinance Bank received the award for best microfinance bank.
The National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) won the award in the non-banking microfinance company category.
Dr Muhammad Amjad Saqib was recognised for pioneering Akhuwat’s dignity-based, interest-free financial inclusion model.
Naved A. Khan was also recognised for his contribution to microfinance and financial-sector governance.
His recognition highlighted efforts to connect mainstream banking leadership with innovative financing for microfinance institutions and underserved communities.
As AMC marks its 10th year, PMN reaffirmed its role as a platform for policy dialogue and partnerships.
The network said collective action will remain essential to turning financial inclusion into inclusive economic growth.
