Pakistan, AJK, G-B: ZTBL disburses over Rs234bn loans to farmers within three years

ISLAMABAD: The Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) disbursed loans of over 234 billion rupees to farmers across Pakistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK), and Gilgit-Baltistan in less than three years, the Ministry of Finance said in a written reply to the Senate.

Of these loans, around Rs 91 billion were disbursed to farmers in the year 2023, Rs 72 billion last year, and Rs 71 billion this year (till 26 November), according to a written reply from the Finance Ministry shared in the Senate session.

Shahadat Awan from the Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) presided over the Senate session.

Chairman Senate Yousaf Raza Gilani, Deputy Chairman Syedaal Khan, and Leader of the House in the Senate Ishaq Dar did not attend.

Zeeshan Khanzada from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) had sought from the finance minister the details of loans given to farmers by the ZTBL in the last three years, along with the province-wise break-up.

The Finance Ministry’s reply revealed that loans of around Rs 197 billion were disbursed to farmers in less than three years in Punjab, Rs 24 billion in Sindh, Rs 8.3 billion in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Rs 1.5 billion in Balochistan, around Rs 3 billion in GB, and Rs 0.3 billion in AJK.

Later, the Senate passed the National Agri-trade and Food Safety Authority Bill, 2025, a government’s legislative draft that aims to establishthe National Agri-Trade and Food Safety Authority (NAFSA).

Law Minister AzamTarar presented the bill.

The Statement of Objects and Reasons of this bill read that NAFSA will serve as a strategic, and take necessary steps in modernising Pakistan’s regulatory infrastructure.

“This reform is expected to enhance agro-based trade, improve access to high-end international markets, and ensure the protection of local biodiversity, including both flora and fauna,” it says.

Speaking on his calling attention notice regarding text messages being sent to filers by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) “containing bank balance and transacted amount causing breach of financial privacy and data protection,” independent Senator Asad Qasim said the FBR can only collect information of the taxpayers.But, he said, they cannot “broadcast” it.

He said that the FBR is bound to follow due process of law, send notices to taxpayers, and give them opportunities for explanations before sharing their bank balance.

“Which television channel is broadcasting the information of taxpayers?” asked Parliamentary Affairs Minister Tariq Fazal Chaudhry in response.

“If there is any discrepancy in my account, and I am informed about it through a text message, this is not broadcast—the information of taxpayers is shared only with them,” he said.

The law minister said the issues involving the taxpayers and the regulator need to be seen from a legal perspective.

He added that the FBR has the authority to ask certain details from the taxpayers.

“As long as it is between the taxpayer and the FBR, nobody should object,” Tarar said.

Prime Minister’s Political Advisor Rana Sanaullah said that the government is ready for dialogue with the opposition parties to “take the country forward.”

The Senate has been prorogued.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2025