Punjab Gives First Interest-Free Pink Salt Loans of Up to Rs 50 Million
Punjab gave the first interest-free pink salt loans to 10 businesses on 1 October 2026. Rs 5 billion scheme, up to Rs 50 million each, five years to repay.
Punjab handed out the first interest-free loans under its Pink Salt Value Addition Financing Scheme on 1 October 2026. Ten business owners got cheques. The scheme has Rs 5 billion in all, and one business can borrow up to Rs 50 million.
Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz gave out the cheques in Lahore, the Punjab government's press office said. The province will pay Rs 1.456 billion in interest on the borrowers' behalf, which is what makes the loans free of interest for them.
The scheme itself was launched on 15 July 2026. What is new is that money has now reached borrowers. We read both official releases, and checked that the scheme's application portal is online, on 2 October 2026.
First Punjab pink salt loans given to 10 businesses
Ten businesses received the first loans under the Punjab pink salt scheme on 1 October 2026. The scheme offers interest-free financing to firms that process, grind, refine, clean or pack pink salt, instead of selling it raw.
Pink salt, also called Himalayan salt, is mined in the Salt Range of Punjab, including Khewra. Most of it leaves Pakistan as raw rock or bulk powder. Other countries then grind, pack and brand it, and earn the higher price.
The Punjab government wants that work done at home. Officials told the launch that value addition and branding could raise pink salt exports by up to $300 million a year. That is an official estimate, not a result yet.
| Item | What the Punjab government said |
|---|---|
| Total scheme size | Rs 5 billion in interest-free loans |
| Loan per business | Rs 5 million to Rs 50 million |
| Repayment | Easy instalments over five years |
| Interest paid by the province | Rs 1.456 billion |
| First borrowers | 10 businesses, 1 October 2026 |
Who can get a pink salt loan in Punjab
New investors who want to process pink salt can apply, the Punjab government said in July. The loans cover salt processing, grinding, refining, cleaning and packaging, and the purchase of machinery, equipment and export-standard technology.
The July release says loans of Rs 5 million to Rs 50 million are available for machinery and equipment. It also names young entrepreneurs and startups as a group the government wants to support.
The releases do not list the full eligibility rules. They do not say what security, guarantee or business record a borrower needs. They also do not give a closing date. The application portal builds its pages by script, and we could not read its eligibility section without signing up.
So the honest answer is this. If you run or plan a salt processing or packing business in Punjab, you may qualify. Read the eligibility section on the portal before you pay anyone for help with the form.
How to apply for the Punjab pink salt scheme
Applications are made online through the Mines and Minerals Department's portal at pinksalt.punjab.gov.pk, according to the Punjab government's July release. The portal was built by the Punjab Information Technology Board and was online when we checked on 2 October.
- Open pinksalt.punjab.gov.pk on a phone or computer.
- Read the "About Program / Eligibility Criteria" section on the portal.
- Register and apply online in your own name, with your own CNIC.
- Note your application number, and keep a copy of what you submitted.
- Deal only with the Mines and Minerals Department, never a private agent.
We did not submit an application, so we cannot describe each screen of the form. Neither release mentions an application fee. Be wary of any agent who asks for a fee to "get the loan approved".
If pink salt is not your trade, Punjab's wider interest-free Asaan Karobar Finance programme covers small businesses in general. The federal PM Youth Business Loan is another route for younger applicants.
A pink salt processing zone is planned at Quaidabad
Punjab has set aside 110 acres at Quaidabad, in Khushab district, for a pink salt processing zone. It is planned to hold 200 value-addition units and create more than 10,000 jobs, officials said. A model retail outlet for pink salt branding has also opened.
In July, the plan included a Business Facilitation Centre to help investors set up in the zone. The 1 October release says the processing unit "has been established" as a specialised industrial cluster.
The job figure is a target. Neither release says how many units are working in the zone today. That is the number to watch over the next year.
What the pink salt scheme does not tell you yet
Three details are missing from the official releases: the closing date, the security a borrower must offer, and the bank that disburses the money. Without them, a business owner cannot plan fully. Ask the department before you commit money to machinery.
Interest-free does not mean free. You still repay the full loan over five years. A missed instalment will still hurt your credit record, as with any loan.
Punjab has used the same model before. Under the Punjab E-Taxi Scheme, the province also pays the interest while the borrower repays the principal. The pink salt scheme is the first to use it for a mineral.
Common questions
How much can I borrow under the Punjab pink salt scheme?
Between Rs 5 million and Rs 50 million per business, interest-free, the Punjab government said.
How long do I get to repay the pink salt loan?
Five years, in easy instalments, according to the July 2026 launch release.
Where do I apply for the pink salt loan?
Online at pinksalt.punjab.gov.pk, the Mines and Minerals Department's portal.
When were the first pink salt loans given?
On 1 October 2026, when the Chief Minister gave cheques to 10 business owners in Lahore.
Is there a deadline to apply?
No closing date has been published in the official releases we read.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
Last checked on 2 October 2026. The 10 borrowers, the Rs 5 billion size, the Rs 50 million cap, the Rs 1.456 billion interest cost, the 110-acre Quaidabad zone, the 200 units, the 10,000 jobs and the $300 million export estimate were read in the Punjab government's press release of 1 October 2026. The Rs 5 million lower limit, the five-year repayment, the eligible activities and the portal address were read in its launch release of 15 July 2026. We opened the portal but did not apply.
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.
