Introduction

The Pakistan Microfinance Network (PMN) is a network of organizations engaged in microfinance and dedicated to improving the outreach and sustainability of microfinance services in Pakistan.

Compared to some other countries, the microfinance sector in Pakistan is still in its initial stages of development. Estimates suggest that as many as 27.7 million people in Pakistan need microfinance services. However, such services reach less than seven percent of this figure. Practitioners must improve their programmes if microfinance is to achieve its potential and serve a larger share of the population. The Network has become increasingly active since 1999, establishing its membership, activities, and credibility in an effort to address these issues. It has fostered greater awareness among policymakers, launched comprehensive capacity-building initiatives, established standards and benchmarks for transparency in microfinance institutions, and serves as an information hub for the local microfinance industry.