Lucky Investments AM1 rating
Lucky Investments Limited has been awarded AM1, the highest Asset Manager Rating by the Pakistan Credit Rating Agency Limited (Pacra), marking a historic milestone for the company less than 1.5 years after commencing operations in April 2025, as per a press release.
The AM1 rating reflects Pacra’s highest opinion of an asset manager’s quality, recognising exceptional standards of governance, investment management, risk management, operational excellence, internal controls, financial strength, and institutional capability.
Since commencing operations, Lucky Investments has rapidly emerged as one of Pakistan’s fastest growing and leading Islamic Asset Management Companies, crossing Rs126 billion in Assets Under Management (AUM), launching a diversified suite of mutual funds and pension funds, introducing the Lucky Funds mobile application, expanding its national footprint, and establishing strategic partnerships to broaden access to Shariah-compliant investment solutions across Pakistan.
TDAP’s initiatives
The Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) celebrated Pakistan’s 79th Independence Day nationwide, with the main ceremony held at the Karachi Expo Centre. The occasion also marked the Expo Centre’s Silver Jubilee, according to a press release.
Addressing the gathering, Secretary TDAP Sheryar Taj highlighted the TDAP’s expanding role in export promotion and trade facilitation. He noted that under the TDAP Business Plan FY27, 483 trade development activities have been planned, including 129 international exhibitions, 93 seminars, 130 webinars, 54 trade delegations, 30 regional SME and women’s entrepreneurship fairs, and 20 high-profile business forums.
He also highlighted TDAP’s major flagship events planned for FY27, including FoodAg 2026 in Karachi, the Made in Pakistan Exhibition in Bangladesh, Texpo 2027 in Karachi, Wexnet 2027 in Lahore, and the Healthcare, Engineering and Mineral Show in Lahore. These initiatives are aimed at enhancing Pakistan’s export visibility, strengthening international business linkages and creating new opportunities for Pakistani exporters.
A key feature of the ceremony was the launch of the Preferential Trade Access Database (PTAD), a digital platform providing information on preferential market access available under Pakistan’s 29 trade arrangements. PTAD has been developed as a unified digital gateway for trade access information and market intelligence, enabling Pakistani exporters to identify and access international market opportunities.
Faysal Bank H1 profit
Faysal Bank Limited (FBL) delivered a sound and resilient performance during the first half of 2026, reporting profit before tax of Rs20.5 billion and net profit of Rs10bn, with earnings per share of Rs6.60. The bank declared a second-quarter cash dividend of Rs1.5 per share, according to its press release.
Despite the downward rationalisation of market rates, FBL maintained its profitability through healthy balance-sheet growth, with total assets crossing Rs1.8 trillion. The bank continued to optimise its deposit mix, with increased emphasis on current accounts, supported by trade and transactional flows, an expanding customer base, and its wide and growing branch network.
Overall, FBL’s results demonstrate the strength of its Islamic banking franchise, business fundamentals, disciplined risk management and focused growth strategy, increasingly supported by digital, technology-led, women-focused and customer-centric solutions.
Strengthening law
The Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan (ICMA) organised a lecture under its flagship Thought Leadership Lecture Series, featuring Justice (R) Muhammad Ather Saeed, Former Judge of the Supreme Court of Pakistan, as Chief Guest and Keynote Speaker, as per a press release. The session, titled “Strengthening the Rule of Law – Reflections from the Courtroom,” drew on his extensive judicial experience to highlight the importance of constitutional principles, institutional responsibility, and integrity as essential pillars of governance.
Justice (R) Muhammad Ather Saeed reflected on his transition across diverse areas of law, including commercial, taxation, banking, arbitration, and civil jurisprudence. He emphasised how landmark judgments during his tenure have established precedents for future legal proceedings.
He also shared insights from the eCourts Mission Mode Project, noting how technology is transforming judicial processes and improving access to justice. His reflections underscored the need to uphold the rule of law while embracing institutional and technological reforms to strengthen the justice system’s effectiveness and integrity.
Published in Dawn, The Business and Finance Weekly, August 17th, 2026