Latest news with #MeezanBank
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Meezan Bank, THF ink MoU to assist youths
KARACHI: Meezan Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with The Hunar Foundation (THF) to bridge the skills-to-job gap for Pakistani youth. The partnership falls under the umbrella of 'Meezan Justuju', the Bank's flagship Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) program focused on education, employment, and economic empowerment. The MoU was signed by Syed Amir Ali, Deputy CEO Meezan Bank, and Tahir Jawaid, CEO The Hunar Foundation, at a ceremony attended by senior representatives from both organizations. The program equips participants with market-relevant technical skills, enabling employment and financial independence while also contributing to Pakistan's socio-economic growth. Since early 2024, Meezan Bank has continued to expand its Meezan Justuju initiative, building on previous partnerships with institutions like IBA CEIF (for Islamic Finance certification course) and NED Academy (for IT certification courses). The collaboration with THF marks another milestone in the Bank's mission to support youth through targeted training and employment programs. It will benefit over 150 trainees in the current year alone, helping reshape the national landscape of skill development, employability, and social inclusion. Since its inception, Meezan Justuju has trained over 600 individuals, with many participants successfully entering the workforce within a short period-reinforcing the program's success as a catalyst for financial empowerment and workforce integration. The partnership with THF aligns with national priorities to harness Pakistan's growing youth population by building capacity through vocational training and has the potential to convert the country's demographic potential into a productive economic asset. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
4 days ago
- Business
- Express Tribune
PSX marks 2nd week of record highs
Listen to article The KSE-100 index of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) surged 2,351 points, or +2% week-on-week (WoW), to close at 134,300, marking a second week of gains driven by a strong earnings outlook, record remittances and positive macro news. Major boosts came from a US-Pakistan trade deal, $2 billion investment from Azerbaijan and rising Panda bond expectations. The State Bank's foreign currency reserves hit a 39-month high at $14.5 billion. Commercial banks led gains, adding 1,329 points, while cement, auto and textile sectors followed. UBL, Meezan Bank and MCB Bank were the top gainers while Bank AL Habib and Engro Fertilisers were the major drags. Average daily turnover fell 2% to 947.8 million shares and foreign investors sold $5.76 million worth of equities, but it was offset by local buying. Among FY25 highlights were remittances hitting $38.3 billion (+27%), auto sales higher by 43% and early retiring of Rs1.5 trillion worth of debt. Analysts see continued momentum with room for profit-taking. The index trades at 6.8x forward price-to-earnings ratio, offering a 7.4% dividend yield. Top picks include OGDC, Pakistan Petroleum, Meezan Bank, MCB Bank, PSO, Hubco and Systems Limited. On a day-on-day basis, the PSX extended its rally on Monday as the bullish momentum persisted, with the index surging 1,421 points (+1.08%) to 133,370, backed by encouraging macroeconomic signals. On the second trading day, the market shot up to a new peak above 134,000 points in intra-day dealings but it could not sustain the momentum and closed almost flat as investors offloaded their holdings to book profit. On Wednesday, the bourse witnessed volatile trading as the benchmark KSE-100 index recorded a decline of 826 points. The market entered a phase of consolidation following recent strong rallies, fluctuating between intra-day high of 133,566 and intra-day low of 132,326. The following day, the PSX had a positive session, gaining 1,205 points in the backdrop of historic high remittances at $38 billion for FY25 and $1 billion in Islamic financing from a Dubai Islamic Bank-led consortium, marking the return to Middle Eastern markets after two years. Consolidation continued at the market on Friday, when the index floated in both directions and ultimately closed at 134,300, reflecting a gain of 517 points. Arif Habib Limited (AHL), in its weekly commentary, noted that the KSE-100 index continued its upward trajectory, rising steadily from 131,949 to 134,300, marking a weekly gain of 2,351 points, or 2%. Among key developments, media reports suggested that Pakistan and the US had reached a trade and tariff deal framework ahead of the July 9 deadline, aimed at preserving market access and attracting US investment. Separately, Pakistan and Azerbaijan signed a $2 billion investment agreement during the 17th Economic Cooperation Organisation (ECO) Summit, with the final deal expected during Azerbaijan president's upcoming visit, AHL said. In the energy sector, OGDCL reported a production boost at the Rajian-05 well following ESP installation. Meanwhile, workers' remittances hit a record high of over $38 billion, up 27%. In the auto sector, FY25 sales rose 43% to 148k units, with June sales reaching a 36-month high of 21.8k units, caused by a proposed sales tax hike. The State Bank's foreign exchange reserves increased $1.77 billion to $14.5 billion – a 39-month high. The sectors that contributed positively were commercial banks (1,329 points), cement (304 points), auto assemblers (150 points), textiles (147 points) and pharmaceuticals (124 points). Meanwhile, sector-wise negative contributions came from E&P (82 points), miscellaneous (78 points), fertiliser (56 points), technology (47 points) and OMCs (39 points). Scrip-wise, positive contributions came from UBL (417 points), Meezan Bank (297 points), MCB Bank (171 points), Habib Metropolitan Bank (150 points) and Bank Alfalah (148 points). Scrip-wise, negative contributors were Bank AL Habib (103 points), Engro Fertilisers (86 points), Pakistan Services (78 points), Mari Petroleum (60 points) and Pakistan Petroleum (54 points). Foreign selling was witnessed during the week, which came in at $5.76 million compared to net selling of $15.33 million last week. Major selling was noted in commercial banks ($3.8 million), followed by fast moving consumer goods (FMCG) companies ($1.2 million). On the local front, buying was reported by mutual funds ($30.9 million) and individuals ($14.1 million), AHL added. Syed Danyal Hussain of JS Global observed that the KSE-100 index extended its bullish run during the outgoing week, gaining 2,351 points to close at 134,300. The rally was driven by several positive developments, including a surge in remittances, which reached an all-time high at $38.3 billion in FY25. Investor sentiment was further supported by reports of a potential understanding between Pakistan and the US on reciprocal tariffs, alongside news that a Dubai-based bank arranged a $1 billion financing for Pakistan.
Yahoo
23-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Pakistan signs $4.5bn Islamic finance deal to clear power sector debt
Pakistan has entered into term sheets with 18 commercial banks for an Islamic finance facility amounting to PKR1.275tn ($4.5bn) to assist in alleviating the growing debt within its power sector, as reported by Reuters. The financing will address unpaid bills and subsidies that have severely constrained the industry and impacted economic stability. The banks involved in the financing facility are Meezan Bank, HBL, the National Bank of Pakistan and UBL. The government, which holds ownership or control over much of the country's power infrastructure, faces a liquidity crisis that has stifled supply chains, deterred investment opportunities and intensified fiscal burdens. This issue remains a central concern under Pakistan's ongoing $7bn International Monetary Fund (IMF) programme. Efforts to bridge the financial void have met challenges due to limited budgetary leeway and high-cost legacy debts complicating resolution endeavours. The newly structured facility benefits from a concessional rate based on three-month KIBOR - the benchmark rate banks use to price loans - minus 0.9%. These terms have been endorsed by the IMF. Existing liabilities incur higher costs, including surcharges for late payments imposed on independent power producers at rates up to KIBOR plus 4.5%, alongside older loans marginally exceeding benchmark rates. To repay the loan, the government plans to allocate PKR323bn annually towards loan amortisation, maintaining a ceiling of PKR1.938tn over six years. Power Minister Awais Leghari stated: "It will be repaid in 24 quarterly instalments over six years and will not add to public debt.' The financing agreement is in line with Pakistan's broader objective to phase out interest-based banking by 2028, as Islamic finance presently represents approximately one-quarter of total banking assets in the nation. In December 2024, ADB approved a loan of $200m loan to upgrade Pakistan's power distribution infrastructure. The initiative seeks to improve the efficiency of distribution companies and guarantee the reliable supply of electricity. "Pakistan signs $4.5bn Islamic finance deal to clear power sector debt" was originally created and published by Power Technology, a GlobalData owned brand.
Arab News
21-06-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Pakistan signs $4.5 billion loans with local banks to ease power sector debt
KARACHI: Pakistan has signed term sheets with 18 commercial banks for a 1.275 trillion Pakistani rupee ($4.50 billion) Islamic finance facility to help pay down mounting debt in its power sector, government officials said on Friday. The government, which owns or controls much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with ballooning 'circular debt', unpaid bills and subsidies, that has choked the sector and weighed on the economy. The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment and added to fiscal pressure, making it a key focus under Pakistan's $7 billion IMF program. Finding funds to plug the gap has been a persistent challenge, with limited fiscal space and high-cost legacy debt making resolution efforts more difficult. 'Eighteen commercial banks will provide the loans through Islamic financing,' Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, told Reuters. The facility, structured under Islamic principles, is secured at a concessional rate of 3-month KIBOR, the benchmark rate banks use to price loans, minus 0.9 percent, a formula agreed on by the IMF. 'It will be repaid in 24 quarterly instalments over six years,' and will not add to public debt, Power Minister Awais Leghari said. Existing liabilities carry higher costs, including late payment surcharges on Independent Power Producers of up to KIBOR plus 4.5 percent, and older loans ranging slightly above benchmark rates. Meezan Bank, HBL, National Bank of Pakistan and UBL were among the banks participating in the deal. The government expects to allocate 323 billion rupees annually to repay the loan, capped at 1.938 trillion rupees over six years. The agreement also aligns with Pakistan's target of eliminating interest-based banking by 2028, with Islamic finance now comprising about a quarter of total banking assets.
Express Tribune
20-06-2025
- Business
- Express Tribune
Govt secures Rs1.275tr to address power sector debt
Listen to article The government has signed term sheets with 18 commercial banks for a Rs1.275 trillion ($4.5 billion) Islamic finance facility to help pay down mounting debt in its power sector, government officials said on Friday. The government, which owns or controls much of the power infrastructure, is grappling with ballooning "circular debt"—unpaid bills and subsidies—that has choked the sector and weighed on the economy. The liquidity crunch has disrupted supply, discouraged investment, and added to fiscal pressure, making it a key focus under Pakistan's $7 billion IMF programme. Finding funds to plug the gap has been a persistent challenge, with limited fiscal space and high-cost legacy debt making resolution efforts more difficult. Read More: Pakistan signs '$1b' loan facility "Eighteen commercial banks will provide the loans through Islamic financing," Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, told Reuters. The facility, structured under Islamic principles, is secured at a concessional rate of 3-month KIBOR (the benchmark rate banks use to price loans) minus 0.9%, a formula agreed on by the IMF. "It will be repaid in 24 quarterly instalments over six years," and will not add to public debt, Power Minister Awais Leghari said. Existing liabilities carry higher costs, including late payment surcharges on Independent Power Producers of up to KIBOR plus 4.5%, and older loans ranging slightly above benchmark rates. Also Read: Banking sector expands 15.8% in 2024 Meezan Bank, HBL, National Bank of Pakistan, and UBL were among the banks participating in the deal. The government expects to allocate Rs323 billion annually to repay the loan, capped at Rs1.938 trillion over six years. The agreement also aligns with Pakistan's target of eliminating interest-based banking by 2028, with Islamic finance now comprising about a quarter of total banking assets.
