PPAF Hosts 12-Country Poverty Conference in Islamabad on 13 and 14 October
PPAF hosts a 12-country poverty conference in Islamabad on 13 and 14 October 2026. Its loan record, who qualifies for an interest-free loan and how to apply.
Islamabad will host a two-day international conference on poverty on 13 and 14 October 2026, with participants from 12 countries. Federal Minister for Poverty Alleviation Syed Imran Ahmad Shah announced it on 9 October 2026, alongside the Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF), which is organising it.
The event is called the International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth. Its theme is "Poverty to Prosperity". It runs just ahead of the United Nations' International Day for the Eradication of Poverty on 17 October.
A conference does not put money in anyone's pocket. But the briefing came with the clearest recent figures on PPAF's own work, including its interest-free loans. We read the government's press release and PPAF's own loan pages, and set out both below.
The conference runs on 13 and 14 October in Islamabad
The conference takes place in Islamabad over two days, 13 and 14 October 2026. Participants from 12 countries will attend. PPAF is organising it with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Centre of Excellence for National Cohesion and Outreach, and Paigham-e-Pakistan.
| Detail | What was announced |
|---|---|
| Name | International Conference on Inclusive and Resilient Economic Empowerment and Growth |
| Dates | 13 and 14 October 2026 |
| City | Islamabad |
| Theme | Poverty to Prosperity |
| Countries taking part | 12 |
| Organiser | PPAF, with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety and two partners |
The release does not name the venue, the speakers or the 12 countries. It also does not say whether the public can attend. Treat it as an event for officials, development partners and invited guests unless PPAF announces otherwise.
The aim is to move beyond short-term handouts
The minister said the conference fits Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's "Uraan Pakistan" plan for public welfare and inclusive growth. He said it would look at progress on poverty, share evidence and build links between government, development partners and local communities.
PPAF's chief executive, Nadir Gul Barech, put it more directly. He said lasting poverty reduction needs more than short-term help. His list covered social protection, skills, productive assets such as livestock or tools, access to loans and better links to markets.
He also said poor households stay exposed to shocks like floods, illness and loss of income. A family can climb out of poverty and fall back in one bad season. That is the case for building livelihoods that can take a hit.
PPAF says it has given 3.69 million interest-free loans since 2014
According to Mr Barech, PPAF works in 157 districts through 164 partner organisations. Since 2014 it has facilitated 3.69 million interest-free loans worth Rs 149.61 billion, with a reported recovery rate of 98 per cent.
He gave other figures too:
- More than 88,000 jobs created through PPAF-supported work.
- 501,500 people given skills and vocational training.
- 35,290 community infrastructure schemes, benefiting about 17.57 million people.
These are PPAF's own figures, given at a press briefing. We have not checked them independently. PPAF's monthly progress report for July 2026, which we opened on its website, counts a different period: 3,166,139 loans worth about Rs 126.67 billion from July 2019 to July 2026, through 736 loan centres in 110 districts. The two sets of numbers start in different years, so they do not clash.
How the PPAF interest-free loan works
The Prime Minister's Interest Free Loan Programme lends money for small businesses through loan centres run by PPAF's partner organisations. The borrower repays the amount borrowed, with no interest. PPAF's monthly report shows the money goes mostly to petty trading, livestock and poultry, stitching and handicrafts, and small services.
PPAF's published criteria say a borrower should be:
- Aged 18 to 60.
- From a household scoring 0 to 40 on the poverty score card.
- Holding a valid CNIC.
- Living in a union council the programme covers.
- Able to show a workable business plan.
The application starts at the loan centre. You ask, written or spoken, and register as a possible borrower. The centre gives you an application form and a business plan form. After that comes an appraisal, approval, and payment at the centre by cheque or a PIN.
The criteria document on PPAF's site is an older one, and the loan limit in it may have changed. Ask your nearest loan centre for the current limit before you plan around it. PPAF's website has a loan centre search under its NPGI section.
PPAF works through partners, and Akhuwat is one of the best known. The steps for an Akhuwat interest-free loan are close to PPAF's own. If your household is already on the BISP list, checking your BISP eligibility on 8171 also tells you whether your poverty score is recorded.
What to watch after 14 October
Conferences end with statements. The useful question is whether any new money or programme comes out of this one. Watch for three things:
- Any new funding pledge from the 12 visiting countries or development partners.
- Any change to the interest-free loan limit or the districts covered.
- Announcements tied to 17 October, the UN poverty day.
If nothing concrete appears, little changes for borrowers. If a new loan window opens, it will matter far more than the speeches.
Common questions
When is the PPAF poverty conference in Islamabad?
On 13 and 14 October 2026. The release does not name the venue.
Who is organising the conference?
The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund, with the Ministry of Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety, the Centre of Excellence for National Cohesion and Outreach, and Paigham-e-Pakistan.
Can the public attend?
The release does not say. No public registration link was given.
How many interest-free loans has PPAF given?
PPAF's chief executive said 3.69 million loans worth Rs 149.61 billion since 2014, with a 98 per cent recovery rate.
Who can get a PPAF interest-free loan?
PPAF's criteria list adults aged 18 to 60 from households scoring 0 to 40 on the poverty score card, with a CNIC, in a covered union council and with a business plan.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 10 October 2026. The conference details and PPAF's figures are from the Press Information Department's release No. 119 of 9 October 2026 on pid.gov.pk. Loan criteria, the application steps and the July 2026 progress figures are from PPAF's own Interest Free Loan and NPGI pages and documents on ppaf.org.pk. The current loan limit could not be confirmed, so it is not given.
About the author
Senior Writer, Public Services and Technology
Shahid joined us in 2024 as an author. He is a senior contributor to Pakistan's leading technology websites. He writes detailed articles, mostly covering his expertise in the latest tech, mobiles, apps, gadgets, and step-by-step guides. His ideology is to help people understand the latest trends and explain complex methods through very easy-to-understand guides.
