Pakistan

KARACHI: Sindh Minister for Industries Jam Ikramullah Khan Dharejo has vowed full government support for Karachi’s industrial community, acknowledging the role of the private sector in times of crisis and outlining a roadmap for structural and financial reforms across the city’s key industrial zones. Expressing his gratitude to Patron-in-Chief of S.I.T.E. Association Zubair Motiwala and SAI Patron Saleem Parekh at the Meet & Greet Dinner hosted by S.I.T.E. Association of Industry, the Minister commended the duo for the timely assistance they extended to the Sindh Government in the aftermath of two devastating incidents — the fires that gutted Gul Plaza and other similar incidents like Saddar Cooperative Market, Jubilee market & Bolton Market — which inflicted heavy losses on the trading and business community of the city. The distinguished guests included Patron-in-Chief of S.I.T.E. Association Zubair Motiwala, SAI Patron Saleem Parekh, Former President of KCCI & SAI Jawed Bilwani, KCCI President Rehan Hanif along with office bearers & senior leaders from KCCI and leaders of FPCCI, patrons & office bearers of different industrial associations, former presidents Tariq Yousuf, Younus Bashir, Majyd Aziz, Nazim F. Haji, Arshad Tanveer, Dr. Arshad Vohra, Engr. M. A. Jabbar, Junaid Makda, Suleman Chawla, Abdul Hadi, Abdul Rasheed, Riaz Uddin, Muhammad Kamran Arbi, and Ahmed Azeem Alvi, COO KWSC Asadullah Khan , MD SSGC Muhammad Amin Rajput, Asmer Naeem, and Nasim Jani Shaikh from K-Electric, Secretary of S.I.T.E. Limited Muhammad Younis Daheri, and Executive Committee members, who graced the occasion with their presence. The Industries Minister announced that a follow-up meeting would be convened specifically to deliberate on the long-pending proposal for the separation of the Sindh Industrial & Trading Estate (S.I.T.E.), Karachi. The move is being seen as part of a broader effort by the provincial government to introduce administrative and structural reforms in one of the country’s most vital industrial corridors. On the critical issue of infrastructure development funding, Dharejo stated that the government was keen to bring the private sector on board to the maximum possible extent, rather than depending entirely on provincial allocations. He made clear, however, that fresh funds would only be released to the District Municipal Corporations and concerned trade associations once existing disbursements had been fully utilized within the designated timeframe — a measure, he said, designed to ensure accountability and results-driven spending. Patron-in-Chief Zubair Motiwala, speaking on this occasion, invited the Govt. of Sindh to join hands with the business community in bringing overall improvement in government working including S.I.T.E. Limited as well as to increase exports and industrial production. He reiterated the demand to separate S.I.T.E. Karachi from the ambit of S.I.T.E. Limited and hand it over to S.I.T.E. Association of Industry to run the department in a professional manner, hiring qualified & professional staff including CEO and other top officials on merit. He said that S.I.T.E. Limited should pay attention on the issues of other industrial zones which are also suffering from lack of infrastructure and other facilities. He stressed the need to make every effort to keep the wheels of industry running in current difficult times when utilities charges are the highest in the region. SAI Patron Saleem Parekh, in his brief note, expressed gratitude to the distinguished guests for attending the event at short notice. He highlighted the importance of holding interactive meetings on a regular basis and extended special thanks to the Sindh Minister for Industries for releasing funds to industrial town associations for infrastructure development in their respective zones. Earlier, the Acting President of the Association Ahmed Zulfiqar Chaudhry welcomed the distinguished guests to the Meet & Greet Dinner and thanked the members for their presence stating that it greatly added to the warmth and spirit of the evening. SAI VP Tahir Goreja delivered the vote of thanks and concluded the event with the resolve to make the country economically stronger by boosting its exports, earning more foreign exchange, and providing employment to the people. The house paid tributes to the selfless & devoted services being rendered by the armed forces of Pakistan for maintaining peace & tranquility in the country as well as for strong reply given against Indian aggression last year which has boosted morale of the nation. The house noted that Pakistani passport’s ranking has also increased worldwide. The house also paid tributes to the leader of business community (Late) Siraj Kassam Teli and his selfless services for the cause of business community were remembered. As a gesture of goodwill, Association’s Shields were presented to representatives of industrial town associations and civic agencies.

Karachi: The Consumers Association of Pakistan (CAP) has called for the introduction of strict property and building laws similar to those in Dubai to protect homebuyers from delays, non-delivery of properties, and illegal booking practices by builders. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/state-bank-of-pakistan-sbp-to-issue-rs75-commemorative-coin-to-mark-75th-anniversary-of-the-establishment-of-diplomatic-relations-between-pakistan-and-china/ The Chairman of the Consumers Association of Pakistan, Mr. Kaukab Iqbal, along with Vice Chairman CAP Muhammad Kamal Mughal, met with Mr. Muzamil Hussain, Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority, at his office to discuss consumers’ grievances regarding builders and real estate projects in Karachi. During the meeting, Mr. Kaukab Iqbal highlighted the growing concerns of consumers regarding delayed housing projects, non-delivery of properties on time, and illegal booking practices by certain builders. He emphasized that in the history of Karachi, many projects remain incomplete, causing serious financial and mental distress to consumers. Mr. Kaukab Iqbal advised the DG SBCA that the Government should introduce strict property and building laws similar to those implemented in Dubai in order to regulate the real estate sector effectively and ensure the protection of consumers’ rights. He also identified that some builders are taking bookings from the public without having proper ownership or legal possession of land. Mr. Kaukab Iqbal urged SBCA to take immediate and strict action against such builders to safeguard the interests of innocent consumers. During the meeting, Mr. Kaukab Iqbal informed the DG SBCA that CAP has constituted a “Consumers Protection Committee on Housing & Real Estate,” which will work under the Chairmanship of Vice Chairman CAP Muhammad Kamal Mughal to address complaints and issues faced by consumers in the housing and real estate sector. It was further announced that Mr. Muhammad Kamal Mughal has been nominated as the Chairman of the Consumers Protection Committee on Housing & Real Estate. The committee will work to address consumer grievances and ensure protection of rights in the housing and real estate sector. The committee members are: DG SBCA Mr. Muzamil Hussain appreciated the efforts and public interest initiatives of the Consumers Association of Pakistan and assured full support and cooperation with CAP for the protection of consumers and improvement of the real estate sector in the public interest.

Karachi, 20 May 2026 – Hutchison Ports Pakistan has reinforced its operational excellence by successfully processing a complex multi-vessel operation, handling four mainline vessels and one feeder vessel simultaneously. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/ptcl-ufone-achieve-pci-dss-v4-0-1-certification-strengthening-secure-payment-card-data-handling/ A total of 10,301 TEUs were efficiently handled during the operation, minimizing vessel turnaround times and maintaining strict service reliability. The vessels have since moved across critical trade lanes, with next destinations extending to Sohar (Middle East), Colombo (South Asia), and Singapore and Malaysia (Southeast Asia), further integrating Pakistan into global maritime trade routes. Commenting on the achievement, CS Kim, CEO of Hutchison Ports Pakistan, stated, “This successful operation reflects our team’s planning discipline and operational resilience. Managing this volume simultaneously demonstrates our capacity strength and our commitment to ensuring seamless service for our shipping line partners.” Hutchison Ports Pakistan continues to invest in infrastructure and workforce capability to support growing trade volumes, reinforcing its position as a reliable, high-performance gateway in the region’s maritime logistics network.

Islamabad, May 20, 2025: Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank, has partnered with Legal Aid Society under its Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiatives to help women secure their inheritance rights through legal assistance, community outreach, and awareness-building efforts. The initiative builds on Mobilink Bank’s flagship inheritance rights campaign, The Invisible Heirs, which aims to raise awareness around the systemic challenges women face, and help them know & claim their rightful inheritance. Through this strategic collaboration, Mobilink Bank will financially support legal cases for women, including climate-affected inheritance disputes resulting from displacement, loss of documentation, and disaster-related exclusion, alongside non-climate cases involving denial or coerced relinquishment of inheritance rights. The initiative will provide case assessment, legal documentation support, court representation, and follow-up assistance until resolution. Commenting on the initiative, Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President and CEO of Mobilink Bank⁠ said: “True financial empowerment requires a holistic ecosystem that goes beyond access to banking. It begins with ensuring women have access to their rightful assets, opportunities, and financial agency. Through our partnership with Legal Aid Society, we aim to help women secure what is rightfully theirs and support their journey towards greater economic resilience and long-term empowerment.” Barrister Haya Emaan Zahid, CEO of Legal Aid Society, stated, “Access to justice is inseparable from economic empowerment. For many women, inheritance is not merely a legal entitlement; it is a pathway to dignity, security, and independence. We are grateful to Mobilink Bank for supporting this important initiative and helping expand access to justice for women who are often excluded from both legal and financial systems.” Mobilink Bank’s commitment to inheritance rights also extends to digital empowerment through innovative financial tools. As part of its inheritance campaign, The Bank introduced Pakistan’s first in-app inheritance calculator on its Dost App, enabling users, particularly women, to better understand and estimate their rightful inheritance shares through a simple, transparent, and Shariah-compliant process. By combining technology-driven financial awareness with legal aid and community engagement, Mobilink Bank is working to address systemic barriers that prevent women from accessing their lawful economic rights and achieving long-term financial resilience. Legal Aid Society also brings over a decade of experience in advancing access to justice, particularly for women and underserved communities across Pakistan. The organisation has reached more than 87 million people through legal awareness initiatives, responded to over 550,000 legal queries, and represented more than 3,000 cases. Through a model that combines legal representation, community literacy, mediation, and policy advocacy, LAS continues to work towards making justice more accessible, inclusive, and impactful for all. As part of the initiative, awareness and legal literacy sessions will also be conducted to educate communities about women’s inheritance rights, access to justice, and the importance of financial empowerment. The collaboration further strengthens Mobilink Bank’s broader social impact agenda and reinforces its commitment to building a more inclusive and resilient Pakistan where women have equitable access to rights, resources, and opportunities.

Pakistan, May 20, 2026 – BingX, a leading cryptocurrency exchange and Web3-AI company, today launched OpenAI pre-IPO airdrop campaign on its platform, expanding user access to private-market exposure tied to one of the world’s most prominent artificial intelligence companies. The campaign marks BingX as the first exchange to offer an OpenAI pre-IPO airdrop, and follows the platform’s earlier rollout of SpaceX pre-IPO trading, which received strong market engagement from users. From May 19 to May 28 (UTC+8), the airdrop campaign featured a total prize pool of more than 300,000 USDT. Eligible users can participate in a variety of trading events to claim airdrop rewards, with bonuses available for active traders, first-time users, and BingX VIP members. The launch reflects increasing investor demand for access to high-growth private-market opportunities that have traditionally remained inaccessible to retail participants in the crypto space. By enabling pre-IPO trading and tokenization tied to globally recognized technology firms, BingX aims to lower barriers to participation while broadening its range of alternative investment offerings. “Through the OpenAI pre-IPO airdrop campaign, we want to give users more direct opportunities to participate in one of the market’s most closely watched AI growth stories.” said Pablo Monti, Spokesperson of BingX. “By combining pre-IPO exposure with a large-scale airdrop incentive program, we’re lowering barriers to participation and creating added value for both new and existing users. This campaign reflects our broader commitment to making high-profile investment opportunities more accessible, engaging, and rewarding for our global community.”

The Pakistani government has granted in-principle approval for the sale of 30 percent shares of the Pakistan National Shipping Corporation (PNSC) to the National Logistics Corporation (NLC), logistical arm of the Pakistan Army, along with full management control. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/china-investment-in-pakistan-falls-29-percent-despite-leading-foreign-direct-investment-in-fy26-2/ This strategic move aims to revitalize the national shipping sector and integrate it with broader logistics operations. Boost for Maritime Sector Experts view this restructuring as a timely step to address longstanding challenges in Pakistan’s shipping industry. PNSC, the country’s flag carrier, has faced fleet limitations and competition from foreign operators for years. Handing management to NLC is expected to bring operational efficiency and fresh investment. Integration with NLC Strengths NLC already dominates land-based logistics with its extensive trucking network across Pakistan. Combining sea and land operations under one umbrella could create seamless end-to-end supply chain solutions. This synergy is anticipated to reduce costs and improve cargo handling timelines significantly. The decision follows recommendations from a government task force on maritime affairs. By aligning PNSC with NLC, authorities hope to capitalize on emerging transshipment and regional trade opportunities in the Arabian Sea and beyond. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb chaired the Economic Coordination Committee (ECC) meeting that approved the proposal submitted by the Ministry of Maritime Affairs.The ECC directed concerned departments to expedite formalities, including valuation of the 30 percent stake. Once completed, management control will shift from the Ministry of Maritime Affairs to NLC. Economic and Strategic Implications Pakistan spends billions of dollars annually on foreign shipping services.Strengthening PNSC through this partnership could help retain a larger share of freight revenue domestically. Analysts project potential savings in foreign exchange and creation of new jobs in maritime and logistics sectors. Improved fleet modernization and maintenance programs are also on the cards under NLC’s stewardship. The move aligns with broader government efforts to enhance privatization and public-private synergies in strategic sectors. Observers note that NLC’s disciplined management style could bring transparency and accountability to PNSC operations. Background on PNSC Established decades ago, PNSC serves as Pakistan’s national shipping line with a fleet focused on cargo transport. It has played a vital role during critical times but struggled with expansion due to funding constraints. Listing on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, the company holds significant market value and public interest. Transfer of 30 percent stake maintains government majority while introducing professional management.This hybrid model is seen as a balanced approach to reform without full privatization. Future Outlook With global trade routes shifting, Pakistan aims to position itself as a key player in regional maritime logistics. Gwadar Port and CPEC-related developments provide additional momentum to these plans.Successful implementation could set a precedent for similar restructuring in other state-owned enterprises. Stakeholders await details on the exact sale price and timeline for the transition. Industry players have welcomed the announcement, hoping it leads to fleet expansion and better international competitiveness. Overall, this decision marks a significant chapter in Pakistan’s efforts to modernize its shipping industry.