Key Points
- Financing available to eligible small businesses
- Businesses can purchase inventory from approved suppliers
- Digital process aims to improve access to formal credit
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has approved a digital financing application that will provide Shariah-compliant financing of up to Rs3 million to eligible small businesses.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan approved the Shaamilkar Tajir application. Shaamilkar Financial Services, a Commission-licensed company, has prepared the app.
The application will facilitate small business owners to purchase inventory from approved suppliers through a digital process. The facility is designed to enable simpler, faster financing for businesses that have limited access to formal credit.
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Chairman Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said technology-based financing could expand access to formal credit for businesses that remain underserved by the financial system.
He said the commission would facilitate responsible digital financing while maintaining regulatory oversight and protecting consumers.
The approval supports the federal government’s programme to improve access to finance for small and medium-sized businesses and other priority sectors.
Small business challenges in Pakistan
Small businesses are an important part of Pakistan’s economy. Many face difficulties in obtaining formal financing because of limited financial records, collateral requirements and lengthy lending procedures.
Digital financing can reduce paperwork and facilitate eligible businesses to apply through electronic platforms. The Shaamilkar Tajir facility focused on inventory purchases from approved suppliers, giving businesses access to goods needed for their operations.
The approval also reflects the expansion of regulated lending to micro, small and medium-sized businesses in Pakistan. Between July 2025 and June 2026, licensed non-bank financial companies provided about Rs253 billion through 2.5 million loans to such businesses.
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The new facility adds a Shariah-compliant option to this financing market. It will operate under regulatory supervision and consumer protection requirements set by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan.
For small businesses, easier access to financing can support inventory purchases and day-to-day operations. It can also help firms expand businesses and develop stronger links with the formal financial system.
