Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Posts Rs16.2 Billion Profit in Q1 2026

Habib Bank Limited (HBL) Posts Rs16.2 Billion Profit in Q1 2026

KARACHI: HBL declared a consolidated profit before tax of Rs 33.7 billion, and a profit after tax of Rs 16.2 billion for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. EPS for Q1’26 was Rs 11.0. Along with the results, the Bank declared an interim dividend of Rs 6.00 per share for the quarter. HBL’s balance sheet […]

CCP Approves inDrive Group’s Acquisition of Pakistan’s E-Commerce Platform KRRAVE

CCP Approves inDrive Group’s Acquisition of Pakistan’s E-Commerce Platform KRRAVE

The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the acquisition of a majority shareholding in KRRAVE Technologies Pte. Ltd. by Suol Innovations Limited after reviewing the transaction under the Competition Act, 2010. Suol Innovations Limited, a Cyprus-based company and part of the global inDrive Group, acquired the shares through call option agreements executed with several […]

Telenor Pakistan Introduces QR-Enabled SmartShops to Digitize Modern Trade & Unconventional Retail Touchpoints

Telenor Pakistan Introduces QR-Enabled SmartShops to Digitize Modern Trade & Unconventional Retail Touchpoints

Telenor Pakistan has launched an industry-first QR-enabled SmartShop initiative, reshaping how customers access telecom services across modern trade and unconventional retail channels. Smart-Shops solution transform partner shops into fully digital service points, allowing customers to buy SIMs and activate bundles through a simple QR scan. This solution gives modern trade & unconventional channel partners an […]

Saudi meal subscription startup Calo Raises $25 million Series B eying Saudi IPO by 2027

Saudi meal subscription startup Calo Raises $25 million Series B eying Saudi IPO by 2027

Riyadh-based foodtech startup Calo, the Middle East’s largest personalised meal subscription service, has announced raising SAR 94 million ($25 million) in its Series B funding round. The round was led by Nuwa Capital, with participation from STV, Khwarizmi Ventures, and regional family offices. This oversubscribed round underscores strong investor confidence, prompting Calo to extend its Series B to […]

SBP Introduces Revised Regulatory Framework for Exchange Companies

SBP Introduces Revised Regulatory Framework for Exchange Companies

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced a revised and consolidated Regulatory Framework for Exchange Companies (RFEC) aimed at enhancing governance, internal controls, and compliance within the sector. The updated RFEC consolidates and modernizes existing regulatory instructions, replacing the earlier Exchange Companies Manual. The SBP’s comprehensive review and revision are geared towards streamlining […]

Alif raises $20mln Investment from Accial Capital

Alif raises $20mln Investment from Accial Capital

December 27, 2024 Alif announced it had raised a $20 mln debt investment from Accial Capital, a US-based impact private credit fund manager. The deal was facilitated with advisory support from Nairang Capital and TMT Global Advisors. The funds will be allocated to enhance Alif’s Nasiya service’s capabilities, strengthen its market position, and promote financial inclusion in […]

Telenor Velocity, STZA and Invest2Innovate Host Roundtable to Address Funding Challenges in Pakistan’s Startup Ecosystem

Telenor Velocity, STZA and Invest2Innovate Host Roundtable to Address Funding Challenges in Pakistan’s Startup Ecosystem

Telenor Velocity, Telenor Pakistan’s premier startup accelerator program, in partnership with the Special Technology Zones Authority (STZA) and Invest2Innovate (i2i), hosted a high-impact roundtable discussion during the prestigious +92Disrupt 2024 conference. Themed “From Idea to Impact: Closing the Funding Gap in Pakistan’s Startup Ecosystem,” the session brought together 36 thought leaders representing investors, startups, corporates, […]

Gobi Partners launches $50mn Techxila Fund II with BoP partnership

Gobi Partners launches $50mn Techxila Fund II with BoP partnership to boost Pakistani startups

Initiative aims to strengthen entrepreneurship and drive innovation across fintech, e-commerce, and health tech sectors. Gobi Partners, a pan-Asian venture capital firm, has launched the $50 million Techxila Fund II alongside a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Bank of Punjab (BoP) to bolster Pakistan’s startup ecosystem. The announcement was made at the Pakistan Investment […]

SBP Introduces Revised Regulatory Framework for Exchange Companies

SBP Directs Banks to Replace OTPs With Transaction/Financial PINs in Banking Transactions

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued new directives to banks and microfinance banks (MFBs) to bolster the security of financial transactions conducted through mobile apps and internet banking portals. The central bank has mandated the replacement of one-time passwords (OTPs) sent via SMS with Transaction PIN (TPIN) or Financial PIN (FPIN) functionality by […]