LAHORE: In a bid to strengthen Pakistan’s entrepreneurial ecosystem, the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) is considering launching a private equity fund or exploring alternative ways to support startups.
Zafar Masud, President & CEO of the Bank of Punjab and Chairman of the Pakistan Banks’ Association, emphasized the importance of this initiative during a recent appearance on VCast Online.
“As Pakistan Banks’ Association, we want to launch a private equity fund or find ways to support startups because, eventually, they are our customers. And if they take initiatives in fintech, SME, or agriculture, they become our partners in lending. We need to promote them for medium and long-term benefits,” Masud said.
He further stated that the initiative aims to foster financial inclusion and promote small and medium enterprises (SMEs), fintech, and agriculture-based businesses, ultimately driving long-term economic growth.
By introducing a private equity fund, banks could provide much-needed financial backing, allowing emerging businesses to scale operations, innovate, and contribute to the country’s digital and economic transformation, according to the top banking official.
The move comes as Pakistan’s startup ecosystem continues to face funding challenges, with many businesses struggling to secure early-stage investments. Industry experts believe that banking sector-led investments in startups could reshape Pakistan’s financial landscape. Increased funding access could encourage new ventures in financial technology, digital banking, and agritech, helping modernize traditional industries while fostering innovation.