Wednesday, December 17 2025

2024 Impact Report: HBL reaffirms its commitment to inclusive growth
HBL, Pakistan’s premier financial services group, today launched its Impact & Sustainability Report 2024, highlighting the Group’s continued commitment to building an inclusive, resilient, and sustainable future for Pakistan. Guided by its majority shareholder, the Aga Khan Fund for Economic Development (AKFED), and a strong governance framework, HBL remains focused on delivering environmentally and socially responsible growth across its operations. The report highlights HBL’s efforts to expand access to finance in underserved areas, empower women entrepreneurs, strengthen Pakistan’s agricultural value chain through HBL Zarai Services, and support healthcare, education, arts, and humanitarian initiatives through HBL Foundation. It also reflects the Bank’s growing focus on environmental stewardship, including renewable energy adoption, green financing, and climate-resilient solutions.
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Friday, December 12 2025

Russia looks for alternative banking channels with Pakistan
Russian Ambassador Albert P Khorev said on Thursday that they were exploring alternative banking channels with Pakistan to reduce reliance on Western payment networks. The two countries have long faced problems in making payments. They could not even implement the Pak Stream Gas Pipeline project owing to US and EU sanctions that derailed the entire plan. Pakistan and Russia are now working on drawing up a roadmap to address payment challenges. "We are working with Pakistan to find out alternatives for payments to lessen dependence on Western payment channels," the ambassador said while addressing a press conference. Regarding bilateral relations, he emphasised that they had so far been successful in moving ahead on different trade and energy matters. Pakistan and Russia have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) for the revival of Pakistan Steel Mills (PSM). "We are determined to revive it (PSM)," he stressed, adding that the two countries were studying the banking sector.
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Friday, December 05 2025

Saudi firm Najd Gateway seeks majority stake in Samba Bank Pakistan
The Saudi National Bank (SNB), the majority shareholder of Samba Bank Limited, has received an offer from Najd Gateway Holding Company to acquire SNB’s entire shareholding in Samba Bank Pakistan, representing approximately 84.51% of the bank’s issued shares. Samba disclosed the development in a notice to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) on Friday. “The Saudi National Bank (SNB), as the majority shareholder of Samba Bank Limited, has notified that they have received a non-binding offer from Najd Gateway Holding Company relating to the proposed divestment of SNB’s 100% stake in Samba Bank Limited (Samba Pakistan), representing approximately 84.51% shares in Samba Pakistan,” read the notice. However, SNB has clarified that any decision relating to the potential transaction or process relating thereto, including access to information for purposes of diligence, shall be subject to internal and regulatory approvals and execution of definitive agreements.
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