The Asaan Karobar loan scheme 2026 is a Punjab government business loan with 0% markup for the borrower. It has two parts. Asaan Karobar Finance gives Rs1 million to Rs30 million (export and SME loans up to Rs50 million) and is applied for online at akf.punjab.gov.pk. The Asaan Karobar Card gives a credit limit of up to Rs1 million, but its portal akc.punjab.gov.pk showed "Registration of applications has been stopped" on 28 October 2026. The helpline is 1786.
People search this scheme under many spellings: "asan karobar scheme", "karobar loan", "CM loan scheme" and "Punjab loan scheme". They all point to the same programme, run by the Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC) with the Bank of Punjab (BOP) and the Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB). This guide explains the amounts, fees, eligibility, online application, status check and the reasons applications fail. All facts are as of 28 October 2026.
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Scheme | CM Punjab Asaan Karobar Finance and Asaan Karobar Card |
| Run by | Punjab Small Industries Corporation (PSIC), Bank of Punjab, PITB portal |
| Markup (sood) for borrower | 0% on both Finance and Card |
| Finance amount | Rs1 million to Rs30 million; Export / SME up to Rs50 million |
| Card limit | Up to Rs1 million |
| Tenure | Finance: up to 5 years. Card: 3 years |
| Application fee (Finance) | Rs5,000 (Tier 1), Rs10,000 (Tier 2), non-refundable |
| Status, 28 Oct 2026 | Finance: portal showed live Apply buttons. Card: registration stopped |
| Helpline | 1786 |
What Is the Asaan Karobar Scheme?
Asaan Karobar (also written Aasaan Karobar or Asan Karobar) was launched by Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz in January 2025. It offers interest-free business loans so that small and medium businesses can start, expand or buy equipment without paying bank markup. The government pays the cost of the markup. The borrower repays the principal in monthly instalments (kist).
The official portal says the money is for new businesses (start-up funding), existing businesses (expansion, modernisation or working capital), leasing of commercial logistics vehicles, and climate-friendly businesses. It is a business loan, not a personal loan and not a cash gift. If you need money for a house, see the housing section near the end of this guide.
Asaan Karobar Finance: Tiers, Amounts and Markup
The official "About Program" page of akf.punjab.gov.pk lists these tiers.
| Tier | Amount | Security | Tenure | Markup | Application fee |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| T1 | Rs1 million to Rs5 million | Personal guarantee | Up to 5 years | 0% | Rs5,000 |
| T2 | Rs6 million to Rs30 million | Secured | Up to 5 years | 0% | Rs10,000 |
| Export / SME | Up to Rs50 million | Secured | Up to 5 years | 0% | Rs10,000 |
Grace period (muhlat)
The About page says the grace period is up to 6 months for start-ups and new businesses and up to 3 months for existing businesses. The portal home page words it differently: "a grace period not exceeding 3 months for start-ups / new businesses and Fixed Investment Loans". The two statements do not match, so ask the bank which one applies to your loan.
Equity (your own share)
- 0% for Tier 1, except leased commercial vehicles.
- 25% for leased vehicles.
- 20% for all other Tier 2 loans.
- 10% for women, transgender and differently-abled applicants.
Costs that still apply
"0% markup" does not mean zero cost. The portal lists a handling fee: nil for setting up a new business, 3% a year for existing businesses, and nil for climate-friendly businesses (Tier 2 only). Insurance, legal and registration charges are paid as per actual cost. Late payment is charged at Rs1 per Rs1,000 per day on the overdue amount. Repayment is in equal monthly instalments.
Asaan Karobar Card: Limit, Use and Repayment
The Asaan Karobar card (karobar card) is a digital SME card from the Bank of Punjab. It is a revolving credit line, not cash in your hand. The official page at akc.punjab.gov.pk gives these terms.
| Item | Official term |
|---|---|
| Maximum limit | Rs1 million |
| Markup | 0% |
| Tenure | 3 years: revolving credit for 12 months, then 24 equal monthly instalments |
| Grace period | 3 months from card issuance |
| Minimum monthly payment | 5% of the outstanding principal after the grace period |
| First half of limit | Usable in the first 6 months |
| Second half of limit | Released after good usage, regular repayment and PRA/FBR registration |
| Processing fee | Rs500, non-refundable |
| Annual card fee | Rs25,000 plus FED, recovered from the approved limit |
What you can spend it on
- Payments to vendors and suppliers.
- Utility bills, government fees and taxes.
- Card, POS and mobile app payments.
- Cash withdrawal of up to 25% of the limit for small business needs.
Personal shopping and entertainment spending is blocked. Cardholders must register with PRA or FBR within six months of card issuance, and the Urban Unit visits the business premises within six months of approval and every year after that.
When we opened akc.punjab.gov.pk on 28 October 2026, the home page said "Registration of applications has been stopped." No reopening date is published. Do not trust any website or WhatsApp message that gives you a reopening date. A resubmission window was reported in September 2025, but that is over.
Eligibility
Asaan Karobar Finance
- Age 25 to 55 years.
- Active FBR tax filer with a clean credit history.
- Home and business both located in Punjab.
- Valid CNIC and NTN.
- You own the business place or have it on rent.
- Small enterprise (annual sales up to Rs150 million) or medium enterprise (above Rs150 million up to Rs800 million).
Asaan Karobar Card
- Age 21 to 57 years, Pakistani national living in Punjab.
- CNIC and a mobile number registered in your own name.
- An existing or planned business in Punjab.
- Satisfactory credit and psychometric assessment, and no overdue loans.
- Only one application per person and per business.
Asan Karobar Loan Scheme Apply Online: Step by Step
These steps follow the instructions page of akf.punjab.gov.pk. Apply only on this official .punjab.gov.pk address.
- Open akf.punjab.gov.pk and click "Apply For Asaan Karobar Finance". Exporters use the separate "Exports" button.
- Read the instruction page and tick the acknowledgement to proceed.
- Sign up with a mobile number registered on your own CNIC. The bank will call this number.
- Fill in the form. It takes at least 15 minutes, and you can save a draft and return later.
- Upload your photo or selfie, CNIC front and back, rent agreement, transfer letter, registry or utility bill for your business and home address, and your business income and expense details.
- Add two references, with name, CNIC copy and mobile number. They must not be blood relatives.
- For a Tier 2 loan, give details of the security, for example a property transfer letter, registry, Fard or government securities.
- Submit the form. A PSID for the application fee appears on screen. Pay Rs5,000 (Tier 1) or Rs10,000 (Tier 2).
The portal states that processing begins only after the complete form is submitted and the fee is paid. Uploading extra papers such as financial statements, a business plan and recent bank statements helps your case.
Documents Checklist
- CNIC, front and back, and a passport-size photo or clear selfie.
- Mobile number registered in your name.
- NTN and proof that you are an active tax filer.
- Business and home address proof (rent agreement, transfer letter, registry or utility bill).
- Two non-blood-relative references with CNIC copies.
- Business income and expense details; financial statements and a feasibility study if you have them.
- Security papers for Tier 2.
The portal says logistics (vehicle) loans do not need separate security. For a new business, the card page says feasibility studies are available on the PSIC and BOP websites.
How to Check Your Application Status
After you submit, you receive an SMS when the application moves to the next stage. You can also log in at akf.punjab.gov.pk/login with the account you created and view the status on the website. Cardholders log in at akc.punjab.gov.pk. The portal does not publish a fixed time for a decision, so do not expect a set number of days.
Helpline and Contact
- Helpline: 1786, shown on both official portals.
- PSIC contact page of the Finance portal: Director (C&M), 042-99201432 and 042-99203731, email asaankarobar@psic.punjab.gov.pk.
The portals do not list an official WhatsApp number. Do not send your CNIC or OTP to any number that claims to be Asaan Karobar on WhatsApp.
Current Status and Latest News (28 October 2026)
| Part | Status on 28 Oct 2026 |
|---|---|
| Asaan Karobar Finance | Home page showed live "Apply" buttons. No closing date published. |
| Asaan Karobar Card | "Registration of applications has been stopped." Existing cardholders can log in. |
- 31 Dec 2025: The Punjab government said it had disbursed about Rs70 billion to 108,371 businesses in six months under Finance and Card. Phase one of Finance gave Rs16.31 billion to 4,238 people, including 203 women entrepreneurs (Rs1.82 billion). The Card scheme issued 104,131 cards worth Rs44 billion. A second phase with another Rs90 billion was announced (punjab.gov.pk).
- 4 Jan 2026: The News reported that phase two offers interest-free loans of Rs30 million to Rs50 million, and that Rs22 billion was approved and Rs16 billion disbursed by then.
- 2025 launch: The schemes were launched in January 2025 through the Bank of Punjab.
We found no official news item dated October 2026 about a new Asaan Karobar window or a change in terms. The Rs30 million to Rs50 million phase two band matches the "Export / SME up to Rs50 million" row on the portal.
Common Rejection Reasons and Mistakes
- Not an active tax filer or no NTN. This is a hard rule for Finance.
- Age outside the range: 25 to 55 for Finance, 21 to 57 for the Card.
- SIM not in your name. The mobile must be registered on your CNIC.
- Bad credit record or overdue loans in your credit report.
- Weak or missing security for a Tier 2 loan.
- References who are blood relatives.
- Business or home outside Punjab, or no proof of the business place.
- Fee not paid through the PSID. Processing does not start without it.
- Using the Card for personal spending. Such transactions are blocked.
The official site does not publish a list of rejection reasons. The points above come from the published rules, not from a bank statement on specific cases.
Scam Warning
The only payment on the Finance portal is the application fee through a PSID shown on screen. Anyone who asks for an "approval fee" on WhatsApp, Easypaisa or JazzCash is a scammer. For more on fake loan links and apps, read our guide to applying for loans online safely.
Housing Loans for Punjab Families
Asaan Karobar is for business only. If your family also needs a home, Punjab has a separate interest-free house loan of up to Rs1.5 million. Read the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar scheme guide to see if you qualify. For every Punjab loan in one place, including farmers and overseas jobs, see our Maryam Nawaz loan scheme guide. For federal options, see the government loan schemes in Pakistan hub, the federal house loan guide and the PM youth business loan.
Frequently Asked Questions
It is a Punjab government business loan scheme with 0% markup for the borrower. Asaan Karobar Finance gives Rs1 million to Rs30 million (export and SME up to Rs50 million), and the Asaan Karobar Card gives a limit of up to Rs1 million. Loans are given through the Bank of Punjab.
Open akf.punjab.gov.pk, click Apply For Asaan Karobar Finance, sign up with a mobile number registered on your CNIC, fill the form, upload your documents and references, submit, then pay the application fee through the PSID shown on screen.
No. On 28 October 2026 the akc.punjab.gov.pk home page said that registration of applications has been stopped. No new date is published. Asaan Karobar Finance still showed live Apply buttons.
The end-user markup is 0%. Fees still apply: a Rs5,000 or Rs10,000 application fee for Finance, a handling fee of 3% a year for existing businesses, and for the Card a Rs500 processing fee and a Rs25,000 annual fee plus FED.
You must be 25 to 55 years old, an active FBR tax filer with a clean credit history, hold a valid CNIC and NTN, and live and run your business in Punjab. Small enterprises have annual sales up to Rs150 million and medium enterprises up to Rs800 million.
Finance loans run up to 5 years in equal monthly instalments, with a grace period of up to 6 months for new businesses and up to 3 months for existing ones, as stated on the About page. The Card runs 3 years: 12 months of revolving credit, then 24 monthly instalments.
You get SMS updates when your application moves to the next stage. You can also log in on akf.punjab.gov.pk with your account and see the status on the website, or call the helpline 1786.
The helpline shown on both official portals is 1786. The Finance portal also lists Director (C&M) at PSIC on 042-99201432 and 042-99203731.
Yes. Women, transgender and differently-abled applicants need only 10% equity instead of 20% on larger Tier 2 loans. They must still meet the age, tax filer and credit rules.
For Asaan Karobar Finance, yes. The portal requires an active FBR tax filer with a valid NTN. The Card requires registration with PRA or FBR within six months of card issuance.
No. The money is for business use only, and the Card blocks personal spending. For a house, look at the Apni Chhat Apna Ghar loan of up to Rs1.5 million.
Disclaimer: Apna Ghar Guide is an independent information site, not a government website. Always apply through official portals. Information verified from akf.punjab.gov.pk and akc.punjab.gov.pk (read 28 October 2026), punjab.gov.pk (31 December 2025 and 16 January 2025) and The News (4 January 2026).