Karachi: The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) concluded the 10th Annual Microfinance Conference (AMC-X) in Karachi, gathering government officials, regulators, financial institutions, and development partners to discuss the future of financial inclusion in Pakistan. The conference aimed to transition from merely providing financial access to achieving significanat economic outcomes for underserved communities.
According to the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO), the event was organized in collaboration with UNIDO under the EU-funded Poverty Alleviation and Inclusive Development Across Rural Sindh (PAIDAR) program. The two-day conference, themed “Pathways for Inclusive Growth: Unlocking Synergies,” emphasized client progression, resilience, and measurable economic outcomes, with a focus on women, farmers, and rural microenterprises.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, addressed the conference virtually, stressing the need for cash-flow-based lending and digital credit tools to integrate more borrowers into formal finance. He emphasized measuring outcomes such as borrower graduation, job creation, and women’s economic participation.
Amir Khan, Chairman of PMN and President & CEO of HBL Microfinance Bank, opened the conference with a call to integrate microfinance into the broader financial system. He urged the sector to focus on client progress toward stronger businesses and financial independence.
Jeroen Willems, Head of Cooperation of EU Pakistan, and Chief Minister Sindh Syed Murad Ali Shah also addressed the conference. The Chief Minister highlighted the importance of moving from access to quality and relevance in financial inclusion and announced the launch of PAIDAR Innovation Labs to co-design products for underserved markets in Sindh.
A significant outcome of the conference was the expansion of the PAIDAR guarantee-based financing facility, scaling financing from PKR 200 million to PKR 4.2 billion and expanding participation from three to eight financial institutions. Additionally, a PKR 1 billion financing facility was signed between Pakistan Microfinance Investment Company (PMIC) and National Rural Support Programme (NRSP) under the PRIME Programme.
Throughout the conference, discussions focused on trends in microfinance, women’s access to finance, regulation, and the future of the sector. A recurring message was the need for financial inclusion to be measured by economic progression and improvements in clients’ lives.
The conference also recognized leading institutions through the Pakistan Microfinance Awards 2026, with HBL Microfinance Bank and National Rural Support Programme receiving top honors. Individual contributions were acknowledged, including Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib’s pioneering work with Akhuwat and Naved A. Khan’s efforts in connecting banking leadership with microfinance innovation.
As AMC marked its tenth year, PMN reaffirmed its role as a platform for partnerships and policy dialogue to drive inclusive economic growth through financial inclusion.