Business

KARACHI, May 8, 2026 – Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) today hosted a landmark Gong Ceremony to commemorate the official listing of Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited on the PSX Main Board. The ceremony, held at the PSX Trading Hall in Karachi, following the successful completion of its Initial Public Offering (IPO). The company raised PKR 956 million through the book-building and public subscription process, with the strike price settled at PKR 18 per share, reflecting a 50% increase from the floor price of PKR 12. The IPO was met with strong investor interest, oversubscribed 5.2 times in the book-building portion and 1.2 times in the retail segment. A total of 2,731 retail investors participated, alongside 81 individual and 24 institutional investors in the book-building phase. This robust demand highlights the confidence of investors in Pakistan’s capital markets and the growth potential of the poultry and agribusiness business. Speaking about the listing, Mr. Ruhail Muhammad, Chairman Pakistan Stock Exchange, stated: “The listing of Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited is a proud moment for the Pakistan Stock Exchange and a strong signal to the food and agriculture sector that the capital markets are open for business. Pakistan’s farming and agri-processing enterprises represent an enormous untapped potential, and today’s ceremony demonstrates that this sector can also access growth capital through PSX. We warmly welcome Wahdat Poultry Farm to the PSX family and look forward to their continued success as a listed company.” Mr. Farrukh H. Sabzwari, CEO Pakistan Stock Exchange, added: “We are delighted to welcome Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited to the PSX Main Board. This listing is a testament to the robust momentum we are witnessing across Pakistan’s capital market. The KSE-100 Index has delivered a 1-year USD return of 58.09%, ranking second among regional markets, as well as the highest 3-year and 5-year annualized returns of 63.21% and 16.28% respectively, demonstrating long-term return potential of the Pakistani market. This performance is attracting a new wave of investors to our exchange as we ended April 2026 with ~545,000 Unique Investor Numbers – our highest ever – with a record 25,114 new accounts opened in April. This brings the monthly average accounts opened in first four months of 2026 to 20,482, compared to 8,804 in 2025. This surge in retail participation is further evidenced by the IPO, where average retail participation per IPO has grown from 2,186 investors in 2024 to 9,008 investors so far in 2026, a more than four‑fold increase in just two years. We expect FY26 to close with atleast 12 IPOs as we remain committed to providing a world-class listing platform for Pakistan’s most dynamic enterprises.” Mr. Mohammed Sohail, CEO of Topline Securities Limited, commented: Topline Securities is proud to have served as the advisor and lead manager for Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited’s IPO. The exceptional response from investors, with book-building oversubscribed more than seven times, reaffirms the strong appetite for quality listings in Pakistan’s equity markets. We believe Wahdat’s listing will set a benchmark for agricultural enterprises seeking to raise growth capital through the public markets, and we look forward to their continued success on the PSX.” Air Marshal (Retd) Aurangzeb Khan, CEO of Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited, remarked: “This listing marks a transformative chapter for Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited. By accessing the capital markets, we are not only strengthening our financial foundation but also committing ourselves to the highest standards of transparency and corporate governance. We are deeply grateful to our investors, both institutional and retail, for the extraordinary confidence they have shown in our business. The oversubscription at book-building and the strong retail response are humbling, and we are determined to reward that trust through sustained growth and value creation for all our stakeholders.” The successful listing of Wahdat Poultry Farm Limited on PSX underscores the growing trust of issuers and investors on Pakistan’s capital markets, where both institutional and retail investors are playing an increasingly vital role. PSX continues to serve as a dynamic platform for companies to raise growth capital and for investors to participate in Pakistan’s economic transformation. The Exchange remains committed to fostering transparency, innovation, and investor confidence, paving the way for more landmark listings in the future.

Karachi: Faysal Bank, one of the leading and most innovative Islamic banks in the country, has further reinforced its strategic partnership with Avanza Solutions in the digital banking space. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/over-724000-fake-calls-in-april-on-helpline-15-punjab-safe-cities-authority-acts-tough/ Faysal Bank’s digital banking suite offers industry-leading, customer-centric solutions with a strong focus on intuitive and easy-to-adopt intelligent technology. Powered in part by Avanza’s CRM and digital platforms, the Bank has made significant progress in advancing its digital-first vision. At a recent ceremony held at Faysal Bank’s Head Office, a major milestone was celebrated—100 million successful digital transactions via Avanza’s new mobile banking platform. Senior leadership and key contributors from both organizations were in attendance. Addressing the audience, leadership from both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to driving innovation through collaboration and agreed to explore the development of a sandbox environment for AI-based smart solutions.

Karachi – May 6, 2026: Wafi Energy Pakistan and Indus Motor Company have entered into a strategic partnership for the supply of Toyota Genuine Motor Oil (TGMO) in Pakistan. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/critical-minerals-investment-crisis-why-demand-is-surging-but-funding-is-missing/ Under this agreement, Wafi Energy Pakistan will supply two key product grades — Petron Plus 10W-30 and Petron 20W-50 — developed to meet Toyota’s global standards for engine performance, protection, and efficiency. The collaboration reinforces Wafi Energy’s commitment to delivering high-quality lubricant solutions aligned with evolving automotive requirements in Pakistan. The agreement was signed in Karachi by Danish Ansari, Director Lubricants at Wafi Energy Pakistan, and Abdul Rab, Director Sales, Marketing & Customer First Division at Indus Motor Company, in the presence of senior leadership from both organizations. As the licensee of the Shell brand in Pakistan, Wafi Energy combines Shell’s globally recognized lubricants technology and OEM expertise with local market depth and technical service capability. Indus Motor Company brings Pakistan’s established Toyota distribution and after-sales network. Together, the partnership ensures Toyota customers nationwide have consistent access to genuine, OEM-approved motor oils engineered to Toyota’s global specifications. Commenting on the partnership, Danish Ansari, Director Lubricants at Wafi Energy Pakistan, said, “As vehicle technologies continue to evolve, OEM partnerships play a critical role in ensuring that lubricant solutions remain aligned with engine requirements and performance expectations. This collaboration enables us to deliver high-quality products that meet these evolving needs.” Ali Asghar Jamali, Chief Executive Officer of Indus Motor Company, shared his statement,“Toyota customers in Pakistan expect uncompromising quality, and Toyota Genuine Motor Oil is an essential part of delivering on that promise. Our partnership with Wafi Energy enhances our capability to provide products that align with Toyota’s global standards, ensuring long-term engine performance, reliability, and a superior driving experience for our customers.”Abdul Rab, Director Sales, Marketing & Customer First Division at Indus Motor Company, stated, “Ensuring the consistent availability of Toyota Genuine Motor Oil is essential for maintaining optimal vehicle performance, reliability, and seamless customer experience across our network. This partnership further reinforces our commitment to delivering the highest standards of quality to our customers in Pakistan.”

Karachi, May 01, 2026 –: BankIslami and its digital banking platform – aik, partnered with Paklaunch for the 8th edition of its flagship event, UNConference ‘26. The two-day summit gathered a select group of founders, investors, and policymakers to discuss the trajectory of Pakistan’s startup ecosystem, with a particular focus on Fintech, artificial intelligence, and digital investment trends. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/petroleum-sales-in-pakistan-drop-7-in-april/ Speaking at the opening ceremony, Rizwan Ata, President and CEO of BankIslami, highlighted the momentum of Pakistan’s booming tech ecosystem and the urgent need to support digital adoption across the financial sector. “Pakistan’s tech ecosystem is at a crossroads where digital adoption is the only path to mass-scale expansion,” he stated. “In 2025, we launched aik as Pakistan’s first Islamic digital banking platform to bridge our mission of promoting Shariah-compliant finance with modern technology for the masses. Sustainable growth and scale do not happen in isolation; they are fuelled by technology-driven innovation.” Aly Fahd, Founder of Paklaunch, reflected on the significance of the partnership and the event’s mission to drive high-value connections. “At Paklaunch, our focus has always been on building meaningful bridges between Pakistan’s entrepreneurial talent and global capital, expertise, and opportunity. Partnerships like this with BankIslami and aik reflect a shared commitment to enabling founders with the right financial infrastructure and digital tools they need to scale”. One of the event’s highlights was the ‘Digital Platforms & Innovation’ panel discussion, which hosted key entrepreneurs to discuss the evolving role of technology in scaling local businesses. During this session, Ashfaque Ahmed, Chief Officer of aik, addressed the practical shift toward digital-native financial services as a means to empower the next generation of founders. “Our focus at aik is to move beyond traditional banking hurdles by creating a digital-first journey that mirrors the speed and agility of the start-ups we serve,” Ashfaque said. “The goal is to simplify user experience so that ethical, Shariah-compliant banking becomes a seamless tool for growth, effectively reaching underserved segments of the population.” The event served as a powerful reminder that the maturity of the start-up ecosystem depends on integrating inclusive financial tools and fostering ongoing cooperation between traditional financial institutions and tech-driven platforms.

ISLAMABAD, May 04, 2026: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed acquisition of shareholding in Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited by a consortium of acquirers comprising entities of the Nishat Group and associated individuals, following a Phase-I review conducted under Section 11 of the Competition Act, 2010. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/dib-pakistan-partners-with-beyond-green-solar-solutions-to-launch-shariah-compliant-solar-financing-solutions/ The transaction involves the acquisition of shares of Rafhan Maize Products Company Limited from Ingredion Incorporated (the majority seller) and other individual shareholders. The acquiring entities include Nishat Hotels and Properties Limited, D.G. Khan Cement Company Limited, Nishat Mills Limited, Lalpir Power Limited, Pakgen Power Limited, Nishat Power Limited, Nishat Chunian Power Limited, and associated individuals. The Commission assessed the transaction in terms of its potential impact on competition in the relevant markets. Rafhan Maize Products operates in the upstream market for maize derivative products such as starch, liquid glucose, dextrose, dextrin, and gluten meals, while one of the acquiring entities, Nishat Mills Limited, operates downstream in textile production, where starch is used as an input. The assessment identified a vertical overlap between the upstream and downstream markets. However, the Commission concluded that the transaction is unlikely to result in any substantial lessening of competition. The analysis highlighted that, despite Rafhan’s significant position in the upstream market, the presence of alternative domestic suppliers and the availability of imports would constrain any potential anti-competitive conduct. Additionally, starch constitutes a relatively small proportion of input costs in downstream textile production, further limiting any foreclosure risks.The Commission also noted that Rafhan lacks both the ability and incentive to engage in input foreclosure, given the availability of spare production capacity in the upstream market and competitive pressures from other suppliers. On the downstream side, the acquiring entity does not possess sufficient market power to distort competition. Based on the analysis, the Commission determined that the proposed acquisition does not create or strengthen a dominant position in the relevant market and does not raise competition concerns. Accordingly, the transaction has been authorized under Section 31(1)(d)(i) of the Competition Act, 2010. The approval reflects CCP’s commitment to facilitating investment and business growth while ensuring that market structures remain competitive and fair for all stakeholders.