Mobilink Bank, HBL Zarai collaborate

Mobilink Bank has signed a partnership with HBL Zarai Services Limited to advance agricultural financing for underserved communities under the ‘Zarkhez-e’ Asaan Digital Zarai Qarza Scheme, according to a press release.

Under this partnership, Mobilink Bank will expand access to structured, in-kind agricultural financing for farmers across Pakistan. The bank, in collaboration with HBL Zarai Services, will link financing with essential agricultural inputs and services to help ensure that credit is utilised for productive purposes and contributes to improved farm-level outcomes. Moreover, it will enhance the efficiency of financing through digital channels, enabling more streamlined disbursements and transactions.

Whereas HBL Zarai, as an approved Agricultural Services Provider, will enable farmers to access high-quality agricultural inputs, ongoing agronomic advisory, mechanisation services on a pay-per-use basis, and structured crop offtake solutions. This closed-loop model connects financing with input utilisation and market access.

Through this partnership, Mobilink Bank and HBL Zarai aim to enhance coordination, streamline service delivery, and scale in-kind agricultural financing across key agricultural regions.

MMC & TPL partner up

Mega Motor Company (MMC), the official partner of BYD in Pakistan, has entered into a strategic partnership with TPL Insurance, as per a press release, to introduce MMC Care, a comprehensive protection plan designed exclusively for BYD owners nationwide.

Through this partnership, TPL Insurance will offer a comprehensive and customised insurance plan to cater to the technologically advanced BYD New Energy Vehicles (NEVs). MMC Care offers BYD owners financial protection against a range of unforeseen circumstances, including accidents, theft, damage, and unexpected breakdowns. The policy is structured to reduce repair costs and eliminate the uncertainty of arranging assistance during emergencies, ensuring that support is readily available when it is needed most.

MMC Care is accessible to both new and existing BYD customers, offering flexibility and ease of enrollment at any stage of vehicle ownership. This alliance reflects a shared vision to enhance customer value through integrated offerings, while supporting the growth of Pakistan’s automotive and insurance sectors.

JazzWorld on the global stage

JazzWorld, represented by a delegation led by CEO Aamir Ibrahim, participated in the IMF–World Bank Spring Meetings in Washington, where it adva­nced Pakistan’s digital and economic agenda through engagements with senior leadership from the Inter­national Monetary Fund, World Bank Group, and International Finance Corporation, according to a press release.

The engagements included a series of high-level bilateral meetings and multilateral discussions focused on the role of digitalisation in strengthening macroeconomic resilience, expanding financial inclusion, and accelerating investment into next-generation digital infrastructure.

These interactions brought together policymakers, development finance institutions, and private sector leaders to examine how data-driven ecosystems and emerging technologies can support more inclusive, transparent, and sustainable economic growth. Discussions also explored pathways to mobilise private capital into high-impact sectors such as fintech, cloud, and connectivity — critical enablers of Pakistan’s long-term competitiveness.

On the sidelines of the Spring Meetings, discussions took place with US government stakeholders and leading think tanks, including the Atlantic Council, focusing on Pakistan’s economic outlook, reform trajectory, and the role of digital infrastructure in enhancing investment attractiveness and driving long-term growth.

HS code errors

Pakistan’s salt exporters and customs authorities reached a consensus regarding damaged packaging caused by improper resealing of containers after port inspections, and the widespread misuse of a generic trade code that has triggered repeated scrutiny of consignments, as per a press release, during a meeting between the Salt Manufacturers Association of Pakistan (SMAP), led by Founder Chairman Ismail Suttar, and Collector of Customs (Exports) Rizwan Mahmood, accompanied by senior officials.

SMAP representatives conveyed that overseas buyers had raised concerns over consignments arriving with damaged packaging. Customs officials acknowledged the issue and further pointed out that incorrect HS code declarations were a major cause of frequent inspections.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, April 20th, 2026