KARACHI: Private sector financial activity in Pakistan has picked up sharply, according to data released by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). The report highlights significant growth in auto financing, credit cards, personal loans, and housing finance.
Auto loans saw the steepest increase, rising 35.5% over the past year from PKR 235 billion to PKR 318 billion. Overall private sector loans grew 1.6% in a month, reaching PKR 9,856 billion, while new loans for business purposes rose 1.5%, hitting PKR 8,498 billion.
Personal loans climbed 10.3%, from PKR 1,222 billion to PKR 1,348 billion, reflecting rising household borrowing. Housing finance also increased 7% to PKR 214 billion, and credit card debt surged 30.6%, reaching PKR 177 billion.
SBP officials noted that the growth in private sector lending shows increased confidence among businesses and consumers, with easier access to credit helping households and companies gear up for economic activity.
