Mobilink Bank, SEDF join forces

Mobilink Bank has entered into a five-year partnership with the Sindh Enterprise Development Fund (SEDF), Government of Sindh, as per a press release, to expand access of structured financing to micro, small, and medium enterprises (MSMEs) across priority economic sectors in the province. The collaboration will unlock up to Rs1 billion in financing by combining Mobilink Bank’s lending capabilities with SEDF’s markup subsidy support to reduce the cost of capital for entrepreneurs and stimulate economic activity.

The collaboration strengthens financing ecosystems for underserved and high-impact sectors, including agri value chains, livestock and dairy, poultry, fisheries, cold storage and logistics, renewable and alternative energy solutions, women-led enterprises, mining and mineral processing, and innovation-driven information technology projects.

Under the partnership, Mobilink Bank will extend short, medium, and long-term MSME financing, while SEDF will provide markup subsidy support of up to one-year Kibor or 10 per cent for an initial three-year period, extendable based on performance. Individual projects will be eligible for financing of up to Rs5 million, with flexibility for expansion in innovative cases.

Jazz to acquire TPL Insurance

Jazz International Holding Limited, a subsidiary of VEON incorporated in the United Arab Emirates, has entered into a definitive agreement to acquire a controlling stake in TPL Insurance Limited, a publicly listed insurance company in Pakistan, for a purchasing price of approximately Rs4.15 billion according to a press release.

“The acquisition of TPL Insurance marks an important step in our mission to build a comprehensive digital services ecosystem that expands financial inclusion in Pakistan. By integrating insurance into our broader digital financial services portfolio — including JazzCash, Mobilink Bank, and FikrFree — we are creating new ways for millions of Pakistanis to access financial protection, not just payments,” said Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of JazzWorld.

The transaction is expected to close during Q2FY26, subject to regulatory approvals, and represents an important step in expanding digital financial services in Pakistan. The transaction between TPL Corp Limited and Jazz International Holding Limited remains subject to clearance from the Competition Commission of Pakistan.

Punjab as an AI-enabled hub

Senior leadership from Data Vault Pakistan, held a meeting with H.E. Ali Mustafa Dar, the newly appointed Advisor to Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz on Artificial Intelligence and Special Initiatives, to present collaboration proposals to accelerate the province’s AI transformation agenda, as per a press release.

Chief Operating Officer, Data Vault Pakistan, Syed Zeeshan Ali presented a proposal for a partnership to support the company’s sovereign AI infrastructure to achieve the provincial government’s ambitious plans to position Punjab as a leading AI-enabled hub in South Asia.

For Punjab, home to over 120 million people, sovereign AI infrastructure could accelerate digitisation across governance, healthcare, education, agriculture, and public safety.

PMEX and SGS Pakistan sign MoU

Pakistan Mercantile Exchange Limited (PMEX) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with SGS Pakistan, according to a press release, to enhance quality assurance and delivery standards for rice, wheat, and sugar deliverable futures contracts traded on the exchange.

The collaboration marks a step forward in strengthening the integrity, transparency, and reliability of deliverable agricultural futures listed on PMEX. Under the MoU, SGS Pakistan will act as a PMEX-approved and appointed assayer. SGS Pakistan will support independent inspection, grading, and certification aligned with defined contract specifications, ensuring that commodities delivered against PMEX contracts meet standardised quality benchmarks.

Rice, wheat, and sugar are critical components of Pakistan’s agricultural and food value chain, representing a total annual production of over 45 million tonnes. By integrating globally recognised and independent inspection standards into its delivery framework, PMEX aims to strengthen confidence among farmers, millers, exporters, traders, and investors.

The move will support smoother deliveries, reduce counterparty risk, and promote best practices across the sector. It also reflects PMEX’s broader strategy to deepen participation in local commodities and modernise Pakistan’s agricultural markets through regulated exchange-based trading.

Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, March 8th, 2026