First, the name: what the “Maryam Nawaz Loan Scheme” actually is
If you search for the “Maryam Nawaz Loan Scheme,” you will find a dozen different descriptions. Here is the clarification that matters: there is no single scheme with that exact official name. What people mean is the Asaan Karobar program — the Punjab government’s interest-free business loan initiative launched under Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif. It has two components:
- Asaan Karobar Card — an interest-free revolving credit facility of up to PKR 1 million for micro-entrepreneurs, shopkeepers, and freelancers.
- Asaan Karobar Finance — larger interest-free loans from PKR 1 million to PKR 30 million for SMEs and business expansion.
The program is managed by the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB) with the Bank of Punjab, runs on a 0% interest (Qarz-e-Hasna) model, and was allocated a budget of PKR 84 billion. Applications are fully digital — there is no need to visit a government office.
The two options at a glance
| Asaan Karobar Card | Asaan Karobar Finance | |
|---|---|---|
| Loan limit | Up to PKR 1 million | PKR 1 million – 30 million (Tier 1: up to 5M unsecured; Tier 2: 6M – 30M secured) |
| Interest rate | 0% | 0% |
| Best for | Shopkeepers, freelancers, micro-businesses | SMEs, manufacturing, business expansion |
| Collateral | None | None for Tier 1 (personal guarantee); required for Tier 2 |
| Repayment | 3 years total | Up to 5 years, including a 3–6 month grace period |
| Official portal | akc.punjab.gov.pk | akf.punjab.gov.pk |
Eligibility criteria
Conditions differ slightly between the two components, so check the one you are applying for. The core requirements are:
- Residency: Pakistani national and permanent resident of Punjab; the business must be located in Punjab.
- Age: 21–57 years for the Asaan Karobar Card; 25–55 years for Asaan Karobar Finance. (Published guides differ on the exact brackets because the two components set their own limits — follow the age limit shown on the portal for your application.)
- Identity & tax: valid CNIC; for finance applications a valid NTN and active FBR tax-filer status are required.
- Credit history: clean ECIB record — no bank defaults, no active defaulted loans.
- Business: an existing business or a feasible business plan/startup idea in Punjab; proof of business premises (ownership or rental agreement) for finance applications.
- Mobile number registered in your own name (used for verification).
- Only one application per person/business is allowed.
Preference is given to women, youth, differently-abled persons, and rural entrepreneurs.
Documents you need before applying
- CNIC (front and back) and a recent passport-size photograph
- Proof of active tax-filer status (for finance applications)
- Business income and expense details / business plan summary
- Rent agreement or property papers for business premises (and home, if asked)
- CNIC copies and phone numbers of your references
- For Tier 2 finance: collateral documents (e.g., property transfer letter or government securities)
Keep clear scans or phone photos of everything — the whole process is paperless.
How to apply online, step by step
- Go to the correct official portal: akc.punjab.gov.pk for the Card, akf.punjab.gov.pk for Finance. (Only trust addresses ending in .gov.pk.)
- Create an account using your CNIC-linked mobile number.
- Fill in the application form — personal details, business details, and (for finance) your chosen tier. Keep at least 15 minutes free.
- Upload your documents.
- Pay the non-refundable processing fee online (PKR 500 for the Card; finance tiers carry higher fees — the exact amount is shown on the portal before you pay).
- Submit and save your registration number — it appears on screen and arrives by SMS, along with status updates.
- Your information is verified digitally; in some cases a physical business inspection is carried out. For help at any stage, call the official helpline 1786.
Note: the Chief Minister has stated there is no need to get an NOC, licence, or business plan pre-approved before applying — be wary of any agent who tells you otherwise and asks for money.
Repayment terms
- Card: 3-year tenure. Funds are for business use only (not personal expenses); up to 25% of the limit may be withdrawn in cash for business needs, with the rest used through digital payments.
- Finance: up to 5 years including a 3–6 month grace period at the start, so installments begin once the business is running.
- Late payments attract penalties under the bank’s policy, and tax registration with FBR/PRA is required within 6 months for cardholders.
Watch out for fakes
- Apply only through akc.punjab.gov.pk and akf.punjab.gov.pk. Fake lookalike sites and Facebook pages collect CNICs and “fees” from applicants.
- The government never asks for payment through JazzCash/Easypaisa to personal numbers for scheme approval.
- Never share OTPs with callers claiming to be from the helpline — the real helpline is 1786 and it does not ask for your codes.
Frequently asked questions
Is the loan really interest-free?
Yes. Both the Card and Finance components run on a 0% interest model.
Can I apply if I am not a tax filer?
For the Card, the published requirements focus on CNIC, Punjab residency, and the age bracket. For Finance, active tax-filer status and an NTN are required. Check the portal for the current requirement on your component.
Can women and freelancers apply?
Yes — women entrepreneurs, IT freelancers, and e-commerce sellers are explicitly encouraged.
How long does approval take?
Timelines vary with verification; you receive SMS updates on your application status, and the helpline 1786 can check where your case stands.
Can I apply for both the Card and Finance?
No — only one application per individual or business is allowed.
Sources
- Asaan Karobar Card — official portal
- Asaan Karobar Finance — official portal
- Helplines — Punjab Portal (official directory; Asaan Karobar: 1786)
- The Nation: Punjab launches Asaan Karobar Loan Scheme
Note: eligibility brackets, fees, and procedures can change. Always confirm the current terms on the official portal before applying or paying any fee.
