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KARACHI: ABHI Microfinance Bank Ltd. (Abhi MFB) has entered into a strategic partnership with 1LINK to roll out 1GO Raast Person-to-Merchant (P2M) services, enabling merchants nationwide to accept instant digital payments through Raast using QR technology. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/water-supply-suspension-halts-industrial-production-in-karachi/ The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony where Mariam Pervaiz, Chief Commercial Officer – Abhi Microfinance Bank, and Najeeb Agrawalla, Chief Executive Officer – 1LINK, signed on behalf of their respective organizations. The ceremony was also attended by Kabeer Naqvi, Entrepreneur in Residence – Abhi Fintech, along with senior representatives from both institutions. Under this collaboration, Abhi MFB will integrate 1LINK’s 1GO Raast P2M static QR solution into its merchant ecosystem. This will allow shopkeepers, small businesses, and service providers to accept digital payments directly into their bank accounts without the need for expensive hardware or complex setup. Customers will be able to make payments instantly using Raast-supported mobile banking apps and wallets, creating a simple and interoperable payment experience. The initiative is designed to address one of the key challenges for small merchants, access to easy, low-cost digital payment acceptance. By enabling QR-based payments, Abhi MFB aims to help merchants reduce cash handling, maintain better transaction records, and improve cash flow visibility. Faster settlement of funds and transparent transaction trails are also expected to support merchants in building stronger financial profiles over time. For the broader financial ecosystem, the partnership contributes to the expansion of Raast-based merchant payments and supports Pakistan’s ongoing shift toward digital transactions. The collaboration combines Abhi MFB’s focus on merchant enablement and financial inclusion with 1LINK’s national payment infrastructure, creating a practical pathway for everyday businesses to participate in the digital economy. Representatives from both organizations shared that enabling accessible digital payment tools for merchants is an important step toward improving efficiency in commerce and strengthening trust in formal financial systems. By simplifying payment acceptance and ensuring interoperability, the partnership is expected to encourage wider adoption of digital payments in both urban and semi-urban markets. With this rollout, Abhi MFB continues to expand its merchant-focused digital services, while 1LINK further extends the reach of Raast-powered solutions within Pakistan’s payments landscape.

KARACHI, FEB 9: Pakistan is losing close to one per cent of its GDP each year to climate-related damages, speakers revealed on Monday at the 4th Pakistan Climate Conference, as government leaders, development partners and business executives urged an accelerated shift from policy frameworks to bankable climate action. Organised by the Overseas Investors Chamber of Commerce & Industry (OICCI), the Conference brought together federal and provincial policymakers, international institutions, climate experts, journalists, and corporate leaders to address Pakistan’s mounting exposure to floods, heatwaves and economic disruption despite contributing less than one per cent to global emissions. Federal Minister for Climate Change and Environmental Coordination Dr Musadik Masood Malik said Pakistan was on the frontline of a rapidly intensifying crisis. “I commend OICCI for creating a platform where climate resilience is treated not as CSR, but as an economic imperative. From record 53°C heatwaves to floods that displaced four million people last year, with over 13,000 glaciers melting and climate losses costing nearly one per cent of GDP annually, this is an existential challenge,” he said. Referring to Pakistan’s updated climate commitments, Dr Malik said the country’s NDC 3.0 targets a 50pc emissions reduction by 2035, but achieving a just transition would require $565.7 billion in investment, calling for climate finance that is sustainable, grant-based and rooted in climate justice. Addressing the participants, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb described climate change as an existential threat, stressing that while key frameworks including the National Adaptation Plan, Climate Prosperity Plan and Green Taxonomy were in place, the focus must now shift to mobilising available financing and developing investable projects. He highlighted the private sector’s role in providing not just capital, but innovation and technical expertise. Speaking at the Conference, Regional Lead, Sustainable Finance, Asia and Pacific at United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), Chongguang Yu (Charles) said the core challenge was no longer capital availability but fragmented systems, advocating blended finance, risk-sharing mechanisms and programmatic investment pipelines to unlock scalable private-sector participation. President OICCI Yousaf Hussain said the Government of Pakistan was making tangible progress on its climate agenda. He noted that from emphasising adaptation finance through public–private partnerships at the World Economic Forum in Davos to finalising the $20 billion, 10-year Country Partnership Framework with the World Bank, and preparing for the launch of Pakistan’s first Green Panda Bond, the steps reflected growing momentum on sustainable finance. “Together, these steps signal a clear and credible national commitment to climate resilience.” Meanwhile, Senior Vice President OICCI Jason Avanceña said the Conference was designed to move beyond rhetoric towards practical economic outcomes. “Building on the momentum from COP30, our discussions focused on translating climate commitments into economic outcomes, from modernising Pakistan’s strained power grid and accelerating renewable energy to unlocking Blue Economy opportunities through coastal resilience and marine sustainability, while leveraging artificial intelligence to improve climate forecasting, reduce disaster losses, and strengthen investment planning,” said Jason. The event was attended by local and international speakers from UNDP, Asia Development Bank, International Finance Corporation, World Wildlife Fund Pakistan, State Bank of Pakistan, Securities Exchange Commission of Pakistan, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Environmental Protection Agency Punjab, Sindh Solid Waste Management Board, Sindh Environmental Protection Agency, Sustainable Development Policy Institute, and leading corporates including Unilever, Nestlé, Standard Chartered Bank and Beko Global. The Conference concluded with the 2nd OICCI Climate Excellence Awards, recognising organisations advancing renewable energy, circularity, water stewardship and inclusive climate action. • Climate Excellence (Main Award): Nestlé Pakistan• Climate Action: Award: Dawlance; Runner-Up: Unilever; Small Companies: Loreal Pakistan• Water Stewardship: Award: Pakistan Tobacco Company; Runner-Up: Reckitt; Small Companies: Lotte Chemicals• Renewable Energy & Conservation: Award: Atlas Honda Ltd. and Martin Dow Group; Runner-Up: Metro; Small Companies: KSB Pumps• Circular Economy: Award: PepsiCo Pakistan; Runner-Up: TetraPak; Small Companies: Engro Powergen Thar• Supporting Biodiversity: Award: Attock Refinery Ltd.; Runner-Up: Engro Polymer; Small Companies: Engro Vopak• Sustainable Finance: Award: Mobilink Microfinance Bank; Runner-Up: Bank Alfalah; Small Companies: (None) As climate risks escalate, speakers agreed that climate policy can no longer sit at the margins, it must now drive Pakistan’s economic planning, investment strategy and national development agenda.

The Indian National Congress sharply criticized the newly announced US-India trade deal on February 3, 2026, likening it to a “surrender” similar to the 2025 India-Pakistan ceasefire brokered by US President Donald Trump. The opposition party accused Prime Minister Narendra Modi of capitulating to US pressure, potentially harming Indian farmers, industry, and sovereignty. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/safety-isnt-a-burden-its-survival-why-gul-plaza-baldia-remind-us-of-the-real-cost-of-cutting-corners/ Congress Slams Deal as “Complete Surrender” Congress leaders, including General Secretary Jairam Ramesh, highlighted that Trump announced the trade deal late on February 2, 2026 (Indian time), claiming it was “on Modi’s request.” They drew parallels to Trump’s May 10, 2025, announcement of a ceasefire in the India-Pakistan conflict (following Operation Sindoor strikes), after which relations reportedly soured for India. The party questioned the terms: India reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers to zero for US goods, opening the agriculture sector, halting Russian oil purchases in favor of US (and possibly Venezuelan) supplies, and increasing buys of American products. Congress warned this could devastate domestic industries, traders, and farmers, contradicting “Make in India” goals. Kerala’s Congress unit tweeted harshly: “Simply put, we will be an American Colony. US will have tariff of 18% on our goods and we will charge 0% for their goods. Resign and get lost Modi.” Ramesh added: “Modi has completely surrendered… India stands diminished.” They demanded full details be shared with Parliament and the public, including debates on the US and EU trade pacts. Government Defends Deal, Highlights Benefits The Modi government welcomed the agreement, with PM Modi praising Trump’s leadership for global peace and prosperity. External Affairs Minister S Jaishankar called it a boost for jobs, growth, innovation, and trusted technology ties. The deal cuts US tariffs on Indian exports from 50% (imposed after August 2025 negotiations collapsed over Russian oil) to 18%. It follows Trump’s re-election and Modi’s earlier White House visit. Congress framed the deal as another instance of appeasement, echoing post-ceasefire dynamics where Trump engaged Pakistan closely. Broader concerns include sovereignty loss and economic vulnerability in a tense geopolitical landscape.

French authorities raided the Paris offices of X, the social media platform owned by Elon Musk, on Tuesday, February 3, 2026. The action was carried out by the Paris prosecutor’s cybercrime unit, in collaboration with French police and Europol. Prosecutors have also summoned Musk for questioning in April as part of a widening investigation into the platform. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/gold-price-forecast-2026-why-jpmorgan-is-betting-big-on-golds-next-historic-rally/ Raid and Summons Escalate Long-Running Probe The search stems from a year-long investigation launched in January 2025, initially triggered by complaints from a French lawmaker about alleged biased algorithms on X. These were claimed to distort automated data processing systems and involve fraudulent data extraction by the company or its executives. The probe has since expanded significantly. It now includes suspicions of complicity in serious offenses, such as the detention and diffusion of child-pornographic images, the creation and spread of sexually explicit deepfakes violating image rights, denial of crimes against humanity (including Holocaust denial), and other related cybercrimes. Additional complaints focused on X’s AI chatbot Grok, accused of generating inappropriate or illegal content, further broadened the scope. Implications for X and Trans-Atlantic Tensions Prosecutors described the approach as “constructive,” aiming to ensure X complies with French laws while operating in the country. The Paris prosecutor’s office announced it would stop posting on X and shift communications to LinkedIn and Instagram. Musk and former X CEO Linda Yaccarino have been summoned for voluntary interviews on April 20, with other staff called as witnesses. Musk previously dismissed related accusations as politically motivated. This development highlights growing European scrutiny of U.S.-based tech platforms over content moderation, algorithms, and free speech issues, potentially straining relations further.

Pakistan’s government is considering divesting its remaining 25% stake in Pakistan International Airlines (PIA), valued at approximately Rs45 billion, within three months after handing over management control to a private consortium led by the Arif Habib Group. Read more: https://theboardroompk.com/mashreq-bank-pakistan-credit-rating-signals-a-new-era-for-digital-banking/ This move follows the successful transfer of 75% operational authority, marking a significant step in the airline’s privatization. Operational Restructuring and Fleet Status PIA now operates with a fleet of 18 aircraft, including 12 leased and 6 owned ones under maintenance. Officials highlight that this size is inadequate for expansion, urging the acquisition of more planes to enhance services. Legacy assets and liabilities have been shifted to the PIA Holding Company, leaving the airline with clean, commercially focused books. This restructuring has boosted profitability, with PIA reporting Rs26 billion in profits for 2024 and Rs6.8 billion in the first half of 2025. Service Restoration and Future Prospects Flights to London are set to resume on March 29, with Paris services twice weekly and Manchester at three flights per week. Operations to Malaysia continue, while Saudi Arabia routes focus on Hajj and Umrah traffic. The Roosevelt Hotel in New York and Scribe Hotel in Paris were excluded from the deal, remaining under government control for separate commercial strategies. Officials emphasize that privatization signals confidence to global investors, positioning PIA for competitive growth. A minimum fleet of 25-30 aircraft is needed for sustainability, depending on the new owners’ plans. This divestment option aims to fully privatize PIA, fostering efficiency and market expansion.

IslamabadIn a landmark decision with major implications for Pakistan’s fiscal landscape and energy sector, the Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) on January 27, 2026, upheld the constitutional validity of the super tax imposed under Section 4C of the Income Tax Ordinance. The ruling, delivered by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, dismissed the majority of petitions challenging the tax, securing an estimated Rs300-310 billion in revenue for the national exchequer. The super tax, originally introduced in 2015 and later expanded, applies additional levies on high-income entities, particularly those earning above specified thresholds. The FCC’s verdict confirmed its retrospective application for tax year 2022 and upheld rates up to 15% for certain sectors. The court also clarified exemptions for entities like Modarabas, mutual funds, and benevolent funds, while rejecting broad challenges to the tax’s legality. However, the decision delivered targeted relief to Pakistan’s Exploration and Production (E&P) companies in the oil and gas sector. The court ruled that super tax charges for these firms must align strictly with the limits set in their respective Petroleum Concession Agreements (PCAs) under the Fifth Schedule of the Income Tax Ordinance. It directed tax commissioners to re-evaluate each company’s liability on a case-by-case basis, ensuring no super tax is imposed beyond the ceilings stipulated in Rule 4 of the Fifth Schedule and applicable concession terms from 1948 onward. This carve-out is seen as a significant win for major listed E&P players, including Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDC), Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL), Mari Petroleum Company Limited (MARI), and Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL). Brokerage firm Topline Securities, in a research note released shortly after the verdict, highlighted potential reversals of prior provisions totaling around Rs194 billion across listed companies. Analysts estimate per-share earnings boosts ranging from Rs22-28, with recurring annual earnings improvements of 6-14% depending on individual PCA headroom and final commissioner assessments. The ruling arrives amid ongoing fiscal pressures, including IMF recommendations to maximize super tax recoveries to bridge revenue shortfalls. The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has indicated expectations of Rs150-200 billion in collections in the current quarter alone, bolstering public finances without broad new impositions.Industry observers note that while the overall super tax framework remains intact—providing long-sought clarity after years of litigation—the E&P exemption safeguards contractual stability in Pakistan’s upstream energy sector. This could ease investor concerns over retrospective tax burdens, potentially supporting exploration activities and foreign investment inflows at a time when the government seeks to enhance domestic hydrocarbon production.The decision also partially set aside certain high court rulings on the matter, reinforcing parliamentary authority to enact such fiscal measures. Detailed judgment is awaited, but the short order has already triggered positive sentiment in energy stocks on the Pakistan Stock Exchange.The verdict balances revenue imperatives with sector-specific protections, marking a pragmatic resolution to prolonged tax disputes in one of Pakistan’s most strategic industries.

KARACHI: Businessmen Panel Progressive (BMPP) Chairman and Federation of Pakistan Chambers of Commerce & Industry (FPCCI) Senior Vice President Saquib Fayyaz Magoon has termed the recently finalized free trade agreement between India and the European Union a “serious challenge” to Pakistan’s export base. In a statement, Saquib Fayyaz Magoon said that after facing defeat on the battlefield, India has now “opened an economic front” by signing trade deals with multiple countries, including the EU. He cautioned that the agreement could erode Pakistan’s competitive edge in European markets. Despite Pakistan’s GSP Plus status, which allows duty-free access for nearly 80 percent of its exports to the EU, the country’s textile exports stand at $6.2 billion, only marginally ahead of India’s $5.6 billion exports despite India facing a 12 percent tariff. “Once India secures zero-rated access under the EU deal, Pakistan’s advantage will vanish, and our exports could suffer a severe blow,” he warned. Mr. Magoon stressed that Pakistan risks losing its foothold in the European market if urgent corrective measures are not taken. “Once a market is lost, regaining entry is extremely difficult,” he said, urging the government to act decisively. He called for immediate steps including reducing electricity tariffs to 9 cents per unit, simplifying the tax regime, and offering incentives to exporters. “The government must declare an export emergency and adopt industry-friendly policies to safeguard Pakistan’s economic interests,” he emphasized. Drawing a parallel with military success, Mr. Magoon remarked: “Just as the armed forces secured victory on the battlefield, the business community now needs government support to win this economic war.”

Nurken Rzaliyev, Head of Q-Commerce Services, inDrive said Super apps have long been portrayed as the inevitable next stage of digital evolution — a single platform that brings mobility, groceries, payments, logistics, and daily services into one seamless ecosystem. In Pakistan, however, repeated attempts have failed to gain meaningful traction. Not because the market lacks potential, but because the model has consistently been implemented the wrong way. Read More: https://theboardroompk.com/gulf-investors-file-2bn-arbitration-suit-against-pakistan-over-ke-dispute/ The failure of earlier super app experiments was not technological. It was structural. Platforms tried to do too many things at once, expanded without a strong core business, and overestimated the market’s readiness for bundled digital ecosystems. Growth was engineered from the top down, driven by ambition rather than behaviour. Sustainable platforms are not built that way. A real super app is not a product strategy — it is a trust architecture. It grows out of daily habits, fairness, and reliability. It starts with one service people use frequently, trust instinctively, and depend on daily. Without that foundation, integration becomes noise rather than value. Pakistan’s digital economy today is far more mature than it was during earlier failed attempts. Smartphone adoption has surged, digital payments have normalized, and users are more comfortable with app-based services. Systems like Raast have helped build confidence in digital transactions, while everyday services like ride-hailing and deliveries have become routine. But readiness alone is not enough. Platforms must align with local behaviour and culture. Pakistan is a price-sensitive, trust-driven society. Transparency matters. Fairness matters. Negotiation is not a feature — it is a social norm. Digital platforms that ignore this reality struggle to integrate. Those that respect it build loyalty. inDrive’s model is anchored in this principle. It is not algorithm-first — it is people-first. It gives users fair choice instead of automated price imposition. This is not just a pricing model; it is a philosophy that reflects how real markets function in emerging economies. Every successful super app begins with a dominant core utility. For inDrive, that core is ride-hailing — a high-frequency service that builds daily engagement and trust. Once that trust is established, expansion becomes organic rather than forced. Diversification must be sequenced, not rushed. Services like courier, freight, and groceries are not parallel experiments; they are extensions of daily behaviour. Each vertical must integrate naturally into existing user routines. This creates platform coherence instead of fragmentation. Groceries, in particular, represent one of the most strategic high-frequency categories in digital commerce. Food and household essentials define daily consumption. But quick commerce is not a convenience play — it is an operational discipline. Logistics density, quality control, last-mile reliability, and pricing stability determine long-term success. Speed alone does not create loyalty — consistency does. True platform advantage is not fast delivery. It is predictability, trust, and fairness. Long-term digital platforms in emerging markets must also reject unsustainable growth models. Burning capital without building loyalty creates inflated scale without real value. User trust, engagement depth, and community impact matter more than short-term financial optics. Super apps are not built by stacking services. They are built by stacking trust. Pakistan’s future super app ecosystem will not be defined by feature volume, aggressive expansion, or platform dominance. It will be defined by reliability, fairness, and daily usefulness. Platforms that grow from people’s needs — not from boardroom ambition — will endure. The next generation of digital platforms in Pakistan must be people-driven, community-rooted, and behaviour-led. That is how ecosystems are built. And that is how super apps will finally succeed in Pakistan.