Pakistan runs three separate interest-free loan programs for different needs: farming, small business, and youth entrepreneurship. CM Kissan Card covers agricultural inputs in Punjab, Asaan Karobar Card covers small business credit in Punjab, and KP’s Ehsaas Nojawan loans through the Bank of Khyber cover youth-led business ventures. Each is tied to a different bank partner and sector, so eligibility doesn’t overlap.
Kissan Card — Punjab, Agriculture
The CM Kissan Card offers an interest-free seasonal loan of up to Rs. 300,000, usable only for fertilizer, seed, and agricultural inputs through registered dealers. It’s issued through the Bank of Punjab and requires a PLRA-verified land record between 1 and 25 acres.
This loan is strictly for farming inputs, not general business or personal expenses. A farmer cannot use Kissan Card funds to start an unrelated small business.
Asaan Karobar Card — Punjab, Small Business
The Asaan Karobar Card provides interest-free revolving credit for small traders, shopkeepers, and SMEs across Punjab, issued through the Bank of Punjab in partnership with the Punjab Small Industries Corporation. The exact card limit should be confirmed directly on akf.punjab.gov.pk, since figures vary across unofficial sources.
A separate, larger facility called Asaan Karobar Finance also exists for bigger businesses, but this carries a subsidized markup — KIBOR plus 2.40% — rather than being fully interest-free, according to Bank of Punjab’s own published fee schedule. Applicants should confirm which specific facility, Card or Finance, they’re applying for, since only the Card is genuinely interest-free.
Ehsaas Rozgar / Nojawan Loans — KP, Youth Entrepreneurship
Ehsaas Rozgar / Hunar / Nojawan offers interest-free loans through the Bank of Khyber, confirmed at Rs. 1 million to Rs. 5 million per group of 3 to 5 applicants aged 18 to 35. The loan tenor runs up to 8 years, including a 20-month grace period during which no repayment is required.
This program targets youth-led business clusters specifically, not individual farmers or established SMEs. A separate KP facility, the Bank of Khyber Interest-Free Loan (Khud Kafalat Rozgar), covers individual applicants rather than groups.
Which Loan Fits Your Situation
Farmers with verified land records should apply through Kissan Card. Small traders and shopkeepers in Punjab should apply through the Asaan Karobar Card, confirming the exact limit on the official portal first. Groups of young entrepreneurs in KP should apply through the Bank of Khyber’s Ehsaas Nojawan component, while individual KP applicants should check the separate Khud Kafalat Rozgar facility instead.
Young entrepreneurs outside Punjab and KP also have a federal option: the PM Youth Business & Agriculture Loan offers up to Rs. 7.5 million through partner banks — note it carries a subsidised markup rather than being interest-free, so it is not part of the three schemes above.
FAQs
Which of these loans has the highest limit?
KP’s Ehsaas Nojawan loan through Bank of Khyber offers up to Rs. 5 million per group, currently the highest confirmed limit among these three. Kissan Card is capped at Rs. 300,000, and the Asaan Karobar Card’s exact limit should be confirmed on akf.punjab.gov.pk.
Is Asaan Karobar Finance the same as the Asaan Karobar Card?
No, the Card is a smaller revolving credit facility, while Finance is a larger term loan with a subsidized markup of KIBOR plus 2.40%, not fully interest-free. Confirm which facility you’re applying for before assuming zero markup.
Can a farmer apply for the Asaan Karobar Card instead of Kissan Card?
Kissan Card is specifically for agricultural inputs and requires a verified land record, while Asaan Karobar Card targets small trade and shopkeeping businesses. A farmer wanting to start a separate small business could apply for Asaan Karobar Card, but not use it for farming inputs.
Do KP’s youth loans require a group application?
The Bank of Khyber component of Ehsaas Nojawan requires a cluster of 3 to 5 applicants aged 18 to 35. Individual applicants should check the separate Khud Kafalat Rozgar facility instead.
What happens during the grace period on KP’s youth loan?
No repayment is required during the first 20 months of the 8-year loan tenor. Repayment begins only after this grace period ends.
Are any of these three loans available outside their listed province?
No, Kissan Card and Asaan Karobar Card are Punjab-specific, and Ehsaas Nojawan is KP-specific. Residents of other provinces should check their own province’s loan schemes separately.