Bank Alfalah’s Q1 performance

Bank Alfalah Limited announces its financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2025, as per a press release. The bank reported a profit after tax of Rs7.04 billion, translating into an earning per share of Rs4.46. The Board of Directors declared an interim cash dividend of Rs2.5 per share.

Its deposits closed at Rs Rs2.02 trillion as of March 31, 2025, while gross advances declined to Rs0.93tr as of March 31, 2025, from December 2024, with the maturity of short-term loans outstanding at year-end. Furthermore, the bank exercises strong capital management with a capital adequacy ratio of 17.64 per cent as of March 31, 2025, above the minimum regulatory requirement. n

PDA addresses dairy concerns

A delegation of the Pakistan Dairy Association (PDA) met with the Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Professor Ahsan Iqbal, to discuss the current challenges as per a press release.

The delegation included Kashan Hasan, Managing Director Friesla­ndC­a­mpina Engro Pakistan and Vice Cha­irman of PDA; Dr Shehzad Amin, CEO PDA; Dr Muhammad Nasir from FCEPL; Aatekah Mir from Nestlé Pakistan and Noor Aftab from Tetra Pak.

During the meeting, the delegation presented its position on the impact of the unprecedented 18pc sales tax on packaged milk and its ripple effects on farmers, consumers, and the formal dairy value chain. The PDA emphasised that this tax has not only made safe and nutritious packaged milk unaffordable for millions of households but also triggered a decline in milk procurement from farmers by nearly 20pc, leading to widespread disruptions across the sector.

In response, Minister Ahsan Iqbal expressed his full support for the association’s position, acknowledging the adverse effects of the current taxation regime. He encouraged the PDA to collaborate with his ministry to co-develop a roadmap for dairy formalisation and growth.

Specifically, he highlighted the School Milk Programme as a strategic intervention to improve child nutrition, school attendance, and cognitive development, while simultaneously generating demand for safe, nutritious milk.

The Pakistan Dairy Association welcomed the minister’s strong endorsement and reiterated its commitment to supporting the government in shaping inclusive, data-driven policy solutions, in line with global best practices that benefit consumers, farmers, industry, and the national economy. n

A new ocean network for Karachi

The Maersk Gemini Cooperation is introducing a new ocean network that prioritises schedule reliability to help shippers, as per a press release. This network evolution creates opportunities for growth and efficiency across multiple regions, including Pakistan.

The Gemini Cooperation provides tailored solutions for Pakistani businesses, leveraging the country’s strategic location to enhance its global trade role. This collaboration strengthens vital trade routes, including Asia-Middle East and Asia-North Europe, ensuring seamless connectivity through Karachi and Port Qasim. By improving global access and simplifying trade frameworks, it empowers Pakistani businesses to broaden their reach and effectively meet market demands.

A key feature of this initiative is Maersk’s M03 service, which connects Karachi and Port Qasim to the key regional hub of Salalah. This arrangement provides shorter transit times, making it particularly advantageous for exporters of time-sensitive goods such as textiles, seafood, and fresh produce, ensuring that their products maintain quality and meet global standards.

BankIslami’s Financial Literacy Week

In collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, BankIslami participated in Financial Literacy Week 2025, as per a press release. Through various initiatives, BankIslami promoted financial literacy and raised awareness about financial inclusion and its significance while reinforcing its mission to advance Islamic banking in the country.

The week began with financial literacy camps across the country, including Lahore, Multan, Sahiwal, and Abbottabad. During these camps, the teams engaged with the general public to raise awareness about financial independence and understanding key financial concepts, banking products, and services to all consumer segments.

Moreover, BankIslami conducted awareness sessions at over 30 educational institutes and non-profit organisations across Pakistan, including Mashal-e-Rah and Fehmida Begum Foundation. Members and students from these institutions were also invited to BankIslami branches across Pakistan to provide a first-hand experience of the financial products and services offered and a peek into the efforts made by financial institutions.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, April 21st, 2025