PMEX hosts roadshow

The Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited (PMEX) organised its first roadshow on Physical Deliverable Futures Contracts of rice and wheat in Karachi, as per a press release. The event was put together in collaboration with Meskay & Femtee Trading Company, a PMEX-registered broker and market maker.

The session was attended by over 150 exporters, traders, brokers, and other commodity market participants. The event was part of PMEX’s efforts to promote trading in key agricultural commodities on a regulated platform.

During the session, PMEX officials explained the features of rice and wheat futures, including delivery procedures, margin requirements, commodity standards, and regulatory safeguards. A live trading demonstration showed how futures contracts are traded on the PMEX.

Veon and Nutshell partner up

Global digital operator VEON Ltd. and Nutshell Group have announced a strategic partnership for The Global Connect, according to a press release. The new international platform is designed to bring together policymakers, global investors, corporate leaders, and academia to advance cross-border investment, digital transformation, and long-term economic cooperation across emerging and frontier economies.

The partnership was formalised through the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Nutshell Group, VEON ltd, and JazzWorld at VEON’s global headquarters in Dubai, on the sidelines of the World Governments Summit. The agreement establishes a framework for collaboration in digital innovation, inclusive growth, and investment facilitation, while strengthening public-private partnerships and accelerating sustainable economic development.

In a joint statement, VEON Founder & Chairman Augie K Fabela II and Global CEO Kaan Terzioglu reaffirmed VEON’s long-term commitment to Pakistan and other high-potential emerging markets through the “Invest in Pakistan Now” initiative.

The inaugural meeting of The Global Connect will be held in Islamabad in May 2026, bringing together leaders from over 25 countries to advance economic cooperation, promote cross-border investment, and develop practical pathways for sustainable and inclusive.

Hyundai Nishat Motors is set to launch the new luxury seven-seater SUV Hyundai Palisade as well as its local production (CKD), as per a press release. With this initiative, Pakistan will become the second country, after Korea, to produce CKD versions of the Hyundai Palisade.

This strategic move reflects Hyundai Nishat Motors’ confidence in Pakistan’s industrial potential and underscores its commitment to delivering world-class vehicles, produced locally to global standards.

Globally acclaimed and recipient of multiple international awards, the Hyundai Palisade has earned recognition for its best-in-class cabin comfort, superior ride quality, intuitive technology, and advanced driver-assistance systems. From intelligent connectivity to world-class safety features, every element is engineered to offer a seamless, elevated driving experience.

Bookings for the all-new Hyundai Palisade will officially commence in March 2026, Vehicle display in June 2026 and customer deliveries scheduled to begin from August 2026. This timeline marks another step forward in Hyundai Pakistan’s journey to strengthen local manufacturing while meeting the growing demand for premium mobility solutions.

EFU Life launches ‘Green Commitment’

EFU Life Assurance Ltd has announced the launch of a company-wide Green Commitment, according to a press release, under which every individual life insurance policy sold via any distribution channel contributes to supporting tree plantation and biodiversity restoration initiatives in Pakistan.

As part of this initiative, all individual life policies of EFU Life will be certified and stamped with the company’s green commitment.

The Green Commitment reflects EFU Life’s broader sustainability and environmental social governance strategy, which focuses on integrating environmental responsibility into core business processes. The Green Commitment will enable EFU Life to strategically support tree plantation and ecosystem restoration efforts in climate-vulnerable regions, contributing to carbon sequestration, biodiversity protection, and long-term environmental resilience.

This initiative builds on EFU Life’s ongoing environmental efforts, including being the first insurance company in Pakistan to achieve the EDGE Green Building Certification by the International Finance Corporation. The company is committed to full transparency with the completion of baseline Scope 1 and Scope 2 greenhouse gas emissions reporting.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, February 23rd, 2026