KARACHI: Commercial banks have reported a muted public response to the government’s recently relaunched subsidised housing finance scheme, with industry experts attributing the slowdown to financing limits that fall short of prevailing property prices in major urban centres.
The government allocated a Rs5 billion subsidy for the current financial year, following which the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) introduced a housing finance facility offering a maximum loan of Rs3.5 million for the purchase, construction and renovation of residential properties.
However, market participants say the cap is insufficient in cities such as Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, where even small housing units are priced well above the scheme’s ceiling. As a result, banks have seen limited uptake, weakening the initiative’s aim of promoting home ownership and reviving construction activity.
Experts warn that the challenge is compounded by Pakistan’s growing housing deficit, which has reached 12 million units nationwide, and by rising land and construction costs. According to data from World Population Review, Pakistan’s housing affordability index has declined to 0.4, placing it below regional peers such as Bangladesh and India.
Industry specialists have urged policymakers to revise the scheme and align financing limits with market realities. They also recommend encouraging foreign investment in low-cost and vertical housing, adopting climate-resilient construction models, and improving collaboration between banks and developers. Several stakeholders argue that raising the loan ceiling to Rs 10 million could significantly expand access for middle-income households and overseas Pakistanis, thereby driving employment and economic growth.
Observers point to the success of an earlier SBP housing finance programme launched in 2020, which allowed loans of up to Rs10 million and generated strong demand before being discontinued due to fiscal constraints. The current scheme, relaunched in September 2025 with reduced limits, is now under scrutiny as calls grow for policy adjustments to restore momentum in the housing and construction sector.
For more news, visit Chakor Ventures.
