Saudi Arabian fintech barq gets In-Principle Approval from SBP to set up EMI in Pakistan

Saudi Arabian fintech barq gets In-Principle Approval from SBP to set up EMI in Pakistan

barq Pakistan has obtained the In-Principle Approval (IPA) from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to establish an Electronic Money Institution (EMI) Wallet in Pakistan, paving the way for its entry into one of the most promising digital financial markets in the region. barq Pakistan plans to introduce a full suite of digital financial services after […]

From Claims to Cash: Simpaisa's Real-Time Pay-Out Solution for inDrive

From Claims to Cash: Simpaisa’s Real-Time Pay-Out Solution for inDrive

Karachi 13 October 2025: Sometimes things don’t go as planned with deliveries, but now, getting a refund is the easy part. InDrive, a global mobility and urban services platform, has partnered with Simpaisa, a leading payment digital service provider, to introduce an instant payout feature for delivery claims. The new solution is designed to enhance […]

Daira Marks First Anniversary in Pakistan, Disburses Over PKR 1 Billion in Loans to 200,000 Customers

Daira Marks First Anniversary in Pakistan, Disburses Over PKR 1 Billion in Loans to 200,000 Customers

Mobile-first digital nano-lending platform, Daira marked its first anniversary of operations in Pakistan with a renewed commitment to advancing financial inclusion and access to finance for the country’s unbanked and underbanked populations. Daira was launched by Pakistan fintech company Finleap, a part of global financial technology leader FinVolution Group (NYSE: FINV) that connects millions of […]

Building secure, cost‑effective digital payments ecosystem ‘a top priority’: SBP Governor

SBP Launches “Zarkhez-e” Digital Platform to Facilitate Collateral-Free Agricultural Loans for Small Farmers

Karachi, October 15, 2025 — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially launched “Zarkhez-e,” a new digital platform aimed at improving access to collateral-free agricultural loans for small and marginalized farmers across the country. Previously known as the National Subsistence Farmers Support Initiative (NSFSI), the program is part of the government’s broader Risk Coverage […]

Building secure, cost‑effective digital payments ecosystem ‘a top priority’: SBP Governor

Pakistan’s Financial Inclusion Reaches 67% as Gender Gap Narrows to 30%: Says SBP Governor

KARACHI: Pakistan’s financial inclusion has made remarkable progress, rising from 47 percent in 2018 to 67 percent by June 2025, while the gender gap in financial access has narrowed from 47 percent to 30 percent over the same period, according to State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad. Speaking at the ninth Annual Microfinance […]

Citi partners with Government of Pakistan to launch sovereign sustainable finance framework

Citi partners with Government of Pakistan to launch sovereign sustainable finance framework

KARACHI: Citi announced its role as Joint Sustainability Coordinator in supporting the Government of Pakistan on the launch of its Sovereign Sustainable Finance Framework, a landmark initiative designed to advance the country’s sustainability agenda and mobilize capital for impactful green and social projects. The Framework marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s journey towards a more […]

Bank of Khyber Among Asia-Pacific’s Top Performing Banks – S&P Global Market Intelligence (Q3 2025)

Bank of Khyber Among Asia-Pacific’s Top Performing Banks – S&P Global Market Intelligence (Q3 2025)

Bank of Khyber ranked second with a total return of 108.2%. Other Pakistan-based lenders that appeared among the top 15 included National Bank of Pakistan, JS Bank Ltd., Askari Bank Ltd., and Habib Bank Ltd. This significant achievement places Bank of Khyber at the forefront of regional banking excellence, underscoring its strategic strength, operational efficiency, […]

NBP Reports Record Quarterly Profit of Rs. 23.3 Billion in 3Q 2025

National growth: NBP president emphasises role of financial ecosystems

KARACHI: Rehmat Ali Hasnie, President & CEO of National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), emphasised the crucial role of ecosystems and the financial and banking sector in driving national growth during the Pakistan Business Summit recently held in Peshawar. The summit, themed “Shaping What’s Next,” was organized under the patronage of the Governor of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa […]

Pakistan to Route All Government Payments Through Raast by FY26 End

Pakistan to Route All Government Payments Through Raast by FY26 End

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced plans to shift all government payments to Raast, the country’s instant payment system, by the end of the ongoing fiscal year 2025-26. “We have plans that with the close of this fiscal year we will be having all government payments go to Raast. We are working […]

Systems Limited Reports 46% Profit Surge, Eyes Expansion in Europe and US

CCP Approves Systems Ltd.’s Acquisition of BAT SAA Services

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved Systems Limited’s acquisition of SAA Services (Pvt) Ltd from British American Tobacco International Holdings (UK) Ltd. The deal was assessed under Phase I of CCP’s merger review framework, as mandated by the Competition Act, 2010. Under the transaction, Systems Limited, a major Pakistani firm in software, BPO, […]