PTCL & Ufone also received the coveted ‘Effective Marketer of the Year 2025–26’ title, awarded to the top-performing marketing organization across industries. Recognized globally as one of the most credible benchmarks of marketing effectiveness, the Effie Awards celebrate ideas that deliver measurable business results and are rigorously judged on strategy, execution, and impact. This recognition reinforces PTCL & Ufone’s leadership in creating campaigns that drive results while building strong connections with audiences nationwide.

A key highlight this year came in the Internet & Telecom category, where PTCL & Ufone secured both Gold and Silver awards. Ufone’s flagship “Data Bohhaaat Hai” campaign won Gold, while its “Babar’s Phone Lost” execution also earned Gold in Social Media (Services), along with Silver for its “Sohni Mahiwal” campaign.

Additional honors included Gold in Passion for Pakistan for “Hockey Hai Pakistan Ki Shaan,” Silver in Positive Change – Social Good (Brands) for “Dil Se Ba-Ikhtiar,” Bronze in Seasonal Marketing for UPaisa, Bronze in Brand Integration & Entertainment Partnership for Peshawar Zalmi x Ufone, and Bronze in Corporate Reputation for “Dil Se”- PTCL & Ufone Social Impact platform. 

These achievements reflect PTCL & Ufone’s ability to combine creativity, cultural relevance, and purposeful storytelling to deliver meaningful outcomes. From humor-led digital engagement and modern storytelling to celebrating national pride, empowering women entrepreneurs, strengthening strategic partnerships, and advancing social inclusion, each campaign showcased the commitment by PTCL & Ufone in building a brand that create lasting value for customers and communities alike.

Spanning telecom services, digital platforms, sports, culture, and purpose-led initiatives, the wins demonstrate PTCL & Ufone’s holistic approach to marketing where commercial success and societal impact go hand in hand.

Spotify announced its First Quarter 2026 earnings, marking a strong start to its Year of Raising Ambition, with continued momentum across the business and ongoing innovation on the platform, further personalizing discovery and control for users.

Q1 results were in line with or ahead of expectations across all key metrics, with robust growth in both MAUs and subscribers. The platform surpassed 760 million monthly active users and delivered its second-highest gross margin to date.

Notable highlights from the Q1 2026 results include:

• Premium Subscribers grew 9% Y/Y to 293 million
• Monthly Active Users (MAUs) climbed 12% Y/Y to 761 million
• Total Revenue increased 14% Y/Y constant currency to €4.5 billion
• Gross Margin improved by ~140 bps Y/Y to 33%
• Operating Income reached €715 million

Alex Norström, Co-CEO, said: “We surpassed 760 million MAU, delivered on the subscriber growth we aimed to achieve, and saw healthy engagement from existing users, reactivations and new users alike. Since the global rollout of our more personalized free experience, users in key markets like the US are listening and watching more days per month. All that reinforces our confidence in sustained user and subscriber growth, low churn, and continued progress on revenue and margin.”

Gustav Söderström, Co-CEO, said: “We’re well positioned because of our large, engaged user base, deep creator relationships, and years of investment in personalization and infrastructure at scale. Together, these create a platform that can take advantage of this moment and unlock entirely new growth vectors that will enable us to climb new mountains previously unimaginable. We see significant room to grow across users, formats and engagement and to expand what Spotify is and can become over time.”

Interested in knowing more? Read the full earnings release here.

Since its launch in 2008, Spotify has revolutionized music listening. Today, more listeners than ever can discover, manage and enjoy over 100 million tracks. We are the world’s most popular audio streaming subscription service with more than 761 million users, including 293 million subscribers, in 184 markets. https://newsroom.spotify.com

Pakistan’s IT sector has increasingly become one of the country’s more active areas of economic growth, supported by a mix of startups, digital service providers, and a large freelance workforce. While challenges such as limited institutional funding and inconsistent regulatory frameworks persist, the sector continues to expand, driven by global demand for outsourcing and a young, digitally inclined population. Within this environment, a new category of entrepreneurs and investors has started to emerge, operating outside traditional industrial models. Among them is Muhammad Burhan Mirza.

Unlike business figures whose wealth is often tied to publicly visible assets such as land, manufacturing, or listed companies, Mirza’s profile sits within a less transparent segment of the economy. He is associated with investments in more than 15+ companies, primarily in IT services, digital education, and early-stage startups. Public references to his portfolio suggest a combined market footprint that crosses into eight-figure territory, though exact valuations are not independently verified.

This lack of verifiable financial disclosure makes estimating his net worth a more interpretive exercise than a definitive calculation. In Pakistan, where the startup scene is still maturing and private equity data is rarely public, wealth tied to early-stage ventures is often inferred rather than confirmed. In Mirza’s case, most available estimates place his net worth in the roughly 2.3 to 3 million range, though these figures remain speculative and subject to change depending on the performance of his underlying investments.

Part of the complexity lies in the nature of the companies he is involved in. Unlike traditional businessmen associated with a single flagship enterprise, Mirza’s presence is distributed across multiple ventures. Some of these appear to be operational businesses, while others are positioned as training platforms or tech startups. The absence of a single breakout company with a publicly known valuation makes it difficult to anchor his wealth to a specific benchmark.

On Burhan Mirza’s crunchbase profile, he is linked to Probyte Pvt. Ltd, the skill learning institute Skills360 and The Coach360, and most recently Gifts360 which is a corporate and personal gifting company.  Skills360 is positioned as a digital learning initiative focused on bridging the gap between formal education and market-ready skills. Its model centers on short, applied training programs in areas such as digital marketing, freelancing, and basic tech competencies. The platform reflects a broader trend in Pakistan, where alternative education models are gaining traction due to perceived gaps in university curricula. The Coach360, on the other hand, operates more in the mentorship and career guidance space. It focuses on decision-making frameworks, career planning, and professional development. Together, these platforms contribute to what can be described as a “skills economy” approach, where employability is framed less around degrees and more around practical capabilities.

From a financial standpoint, however, platforms like these do not always translate into immediate high valuations. Their impact is often measured in user reach, engagement, and long-term influence rather than short-term revenue spikes. This adds another layer of ambiguity when attempting to assign a net worth figure to someone whose ventures operate across both commercial and impact-driven models. In recent years, Mirza has expanded his presence beyond investment into public speaking and thought leadership. He has spoken on themes such as skill development, decision-making, and the evolving nature of work, often linking them back to structural gaps in education and employment. His appearance at a TEDx platform, where he spoke on the theme of “The Power of Chaos,” reflects this shift toward a more visible role in shaping narratives around entrepreneurship and adaptability. Such engagements, while not directly tied to financial outcomes, contribute to his overall positioning within the economy and influence how his profile is perceived.

It is also worth noting that Pakistan’s startup ecosystem itself does not yet have a standardized framework for reporting valuations. While some funded startups disclose investment rounds, many early-stage companies operate without publicly available financial data. This makes it difficult to aggregate portfolio value with a high degree of accuracy, particularly for investors who are not part of formal venture capital firms. At the same time, it is important to distinguish between influence and confirmed wealth. While Mirza’s presence in the startup and skills development space is increasingly visible, the absence of audited financial disclosures means that any net worth figure remains an estimate rather than a verified fact. Reports suggesting a multi-million dollar valuation should therefore be understood as indicative, not conclusive.

Whether these newer forms of wealth will translate into long-term financial consolidation remains to be seen. For now, Mirza’s profile sits within this transitional phase, where visibility, activity, and perceived impact are easier to track than precise financial standing. Until more structured disclosures emerge, his net worth is likely to remain a subject of informed speculation rather than definitive reporting.

Lahore-based counterfeit company Blue Tech allegedly registered the logo of Turkey’s well-known multinational brand “OPAS” and falsely declared itself as the authentic representative of OPAS, even though the Turkish company Opas is the only real and authorized distributor of OPAS products in Pakistan.

The fraudulent company also allegedly attempted to blackmail and demand money from AT Electricals, the official distributor selling genuine OPAS products in Pakistan, by using the illegally registered fake logo.

In this regard, the fraudulent company also filed a complaint against AT Electricals, the legitimate distributor of the Turkish multinational company OPAS.

Following this, an inquiry was held at the office of AT Electrical, the sole authorized distributor of OPAS in Karachi.

However, the owner of the company, Tanzeem Taj, produced all legal documents, registration records, and power of attorney, fully proving the company’s legitimate status.

On the other hand, the Turkish company OPAS has also come out in support of its official distributor AT Electricals. In a clarification letter, OPAS has confirmed that AT Electricals has been its official and sole representative in Pakistan since 2016.

According to the Turkish company, its brand identity was misused, and the counterfeit company allegedly imported low-quality Chinese products under fake branding, manufactured counterfeit cam switches locally, and illegally used the OPAS logo and packaging. As a result, the substandard counterfeit products were introduced into the market under the name “OPAS,” damaging the brand’s reputation.

OPAS is currently working with IPO Pakistan, FIA, Sindh Police, and other relevant agencies to counter misinformation spread by the counterfeit entity Blue Tech Electric and to protect its intellectual property rights.

According to the Turkish company, all allegations circulating on electronic and social media—claiming copyright infringement or misconduct by AT Electricals and Trading Company—are completely baseless, misleading, and contrary to facts.

The Turkish company has also clarified that the fraudulent company Blue Tech attempted to damage its brand through fake registrations and that it has no business relationship with OPAS and was never authorized to use the OPAS trademark in any form.

OPAS has also submitted complaints to several institutions, including the Turkish Consulate in Karachi and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), and has demanded strict action against those involved in selling counterfeit products.

The alleged counterfeit OPAS products have reportedly started disappearing rapidly from the market, while relevant agencies continue their investigations. The Turkish company has also urged for action against the owner of the counterfeit company Blue Tech, Imran Sohail.

ABHI Microfinance Bank Ltd. has entered into a strategic partnership with Dastak Logistics (Private) Limited to introduce Merchant Lending Services aimed at supporting small and medium-sized businesses across Pakistan with easier access to working capital and business financing.

The agreement was formalized at a signing ceremony where Muhammad Umer Rauf, Head Transaction & Employee Banking – ABHI Microfinance Bank, and Intizar Hussain, Chief Executive Officer – Dastak Logistics, signed on behalf of their respective organizations. The ceremony was also attended by senior representatives from both institutions.

Under this partnership, eligible merchants operating within Dastak Logistics’ ecosystem will gain access to tailored financing solutions from Abhi MFB. These facilities are designed to help businesses manage cash flow needs, purchase inventory, expand operations, and strengthen day-to-day working capital without lengthy traditional banking processes.

The collaboration addresses one of the biggest challenges faced by SMEs and merchants in Pakistan — limited access to timely and convenient financing. By leveraging Dastak Logistics’ merchant network and operational data, Abhi MFB aims to create a seamless lending journey with faster assessments, simplified onboarding, and quicker disbursement of funds.

For merchants, this initiative is expected to unlock growth opportunities by providing flexible capital when needed most. Better financing access can enable businesses to stock products efficiently, fulfill larger orders, improve delivery capabilities, and scale operations with greater confidence.

For the broader financial ecosystem, the partnership contributes to Pakistan’s financial inclusion agenda by extending formal credit solutions to underserved merchants and businesses. It also reflects the growing importance of embedded finance models, where lending services are integrated directly into commercial ecosystems to create more relevant and accessible solutions.

Representatives from both organizations shared that empowering merchants with financing tools is critical for supporting entrepreneurship, improving economic productivity, and accelerating digital transformation across Pakistan’s SME sector.

With this collaboration, Abhi MFB continues to strengthen its commitment to merchant-focused financial services, while Dastak Logistics expands value-added support for businesses within its growing network, creating a stronger foundation for long-term business growth nationwide.

Fatima Fertilizer Puts Farmers in the Spotlight at Exclusive Multan Sultans Meet & Greet

Dealers, Farmers, and the Entire Multan Sultans Team Come Together at Mövenpick Hotel in a Celebration of Cricket, Community, and an Eight-Year Partnership

Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited, Title Sponsor of the Multan Sultans in the Pakistan Super League (PSL), hosted an exclusive Meet & Greet event at Mövenpick Hotel, Karachi, bringing together the entire Multan Sultans Team, company dealers, and the farming community in a memorable evening that celebrated cricket, community, and an eight-year partnership built on shared identity and pride. Eight seasons in, this partnership continues to thrive with each passing year — reflecting a shared vision, strong collaboration, and a deep-rooted connection to the communities both organisations proudly serve.

The event brought this partnership to life, giving Fatima Fertilizer’s dealer network and farming community an up-close experience with their cricket heroes. Attendees interacted with the Multan Sultans team, collected autographs, and took photographs with their favourite players. Among the guests were winners of the Sarsabz Golden Ticket — a farmers’ engagement campaign now in its fourth PSL season, through which participants who uploaded photographs with a Sarsabz bag on Facebook were shortlisted as winners. The three selected farmers were then invited as special guests to the event, where they interacted with and met their favourite Multan Sultans players.

 “This partnership is a source of immense pride for everyone at Fatima Fertilizer. We have been with the Multan Sultans since the very beginning — through every season, every milestone, and every victory. Eight years on, this is not just a sponsorship; it is a bond rooted in the soil of South Punjab and a shared love for cricket. We know how deeply Pakistanis love this game, and we are honoured to stand alongside the Sultans as they continue to inspire millions across the country.”— Ms. Rabel Sadozai, Director Marketing & Sales, Fatima Fertilizer Company Limited.

“Fatima Fertilizer is not just a sponsor — they are family. The legacy of this eight-year partnership speaks for itself, and it is a privilege to step into this role knowing that a partner of this stature stands alongside the Multan Sultans. I am energised by the shared vision and values that Fatima Fertilizer brings to this association, and together, I believe we will take this partnership to even greater heights. We both represent the pride of South Punjab, and I look forward to writing the next chapter of this journey together.” — Mr. Gohar Shah, Chief Executive Officer, Multan Sultans.

The meet and greet event stands as a powerful example of how Fatima Fertilizer continues to use the platform of cricket to give back to the communities that form the backbone of its business — the farmers of Pakistan. As the PSL season progresses, Fatima Fertilizer remains committed to delivering meaningful experiences that connect the farming community with the national passion for cricket.

Reinforcing its position as a leader in Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI), Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has successfully graduated 18 women-led startups under its Women Inspirational Network (WIN) Incubator Program, an industry-first initiative designed to unlock the economic potential of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan.

The graduation ceremony, held in Islamabad, was attended by Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training, as the Chief Guest, alongside key stakeholders from the public and private sectors. 

The WIN program equipped participants with practical skills in digital entrepreneurship, financial literacy, and business scaling, enabling them to build resilient, future-ready enterprises. The ceremony concluded with awards recognizing high-impact ventures emerging from the cohort.

Green Plastics secured the Best Startup Award and received PKR 1 million in seed funding for its innovative solution converting potato peels into recyclable bags. Ecogen and EcoFlow were named winners of the Innovation Challenge, each receiving PKR 500,000 in seed funding for their impactful work in food waste management and affordable sanitary solutions for underserved communities.

With a total of 31 startups now graduated, Mobilink Bank continues to set the benchmark for enabling women-led businesses through structured incubation, mentorship, and access to financial and digital ecosystems. 

Speaking at the occasion, Ms. Wajiha Qamar, Minister of State for Federal Education & Professional Training said that, “The graduation of 18 women-led startups under Mobilink Bank’s WIN Incubator is a powerful testament to the transformative impact of investing in women’s potential. Initiatives like this not only equip women with essential entrepreneurial and digital skills but also pave the way for a more inclusive and resilient economy. It is encouraging to see these ventures addressing critical challenges such as sustainability and social equity. Continued collaboration between the public and private sectors will be key to expanding such opportunities and enabling more women across Pakistan to become drivers of innovation and economic growth.”

Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President & CEO, Mobilink Bank, remarked that, “At Mobilink Bank, we are moving beyond access to impact. The WIN Incubator is unlocking a new generation of women entrepreneurs who are not just participating in the economy but leading it. Their success is building a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready Pakistan.”

The graduating cohort demonstrated a strong focus on sustainability and social impact, with ventures addressing pressing challenges such as plastic waste, food waste, and period poverty, highlighting the growing role of women entrepreneurs in driving climate-conscious and socially responsible innovation. This also comes in line with the Bank’s ESG policy, which is strongly embedded into its core operations.

Mobilink Bank’s continued investment in initiatives like WIN underscores its commitment to building a more inclusive, innovative, and resilient economic future, where women are not just participants, but leaders of change.

Pakistan Freelancers Association (PAFLA) urged the government and internet service providers to ensure uninterrupted and high-speed internet services across Pakistan to support the digitally-connected economy, including freelancers and gig economy workers nationwide.

PAFLA Chairman Ibrahim Amin stated that persistent internet slowdowns are adversely affecting the productivity of freelancers and online workers with a significant contribution to the economy such as bringing in foreign exchange and helping reduce unemployment in the country.

He highlighted that slow and interrupted internet connectivity, combined with frequent electricity outages, has significantly worsened working conditions for freelancers. As a result, many struggle to meet project deadlines, which can negatively impact their platform rankings and damage their professional credibility.

Amin also pointed out that thousands of workers as part of the gig economy, including ride-hailing drivers and food delivery personnel, are facing similar challenges due to slow internet connectivity, which directly impacts their earnings and revenue streams of their respective sectors.

It is pertinent to mention here that a major internet service provider has announced a maintenance activity of its submarine cable for a nearly a week, which affected the overall internet speed and service quality across the country.

To address these issues, he suggested that the government introduce satellite-based internet solutions as an alternative, ensuring reliable connectivity and minimizing disruptions caused by submarine cable faults.

According to the Asian Development Bank (ADB), Pakistan is home to over 2.37 million freelancers, ranking among the top countries globally in terms of freelance workforce size. State Bank of Pakistan’s data reported that Pakistan earned over $800 million in foreign exchange through freelancer of IT and IT-related services despite challenges of slow internet and electricity loadshedding.

Hundreds of thousands of individuals trained by public sector initiatives and non-governmental organizations are entering the freelancing market each month, boosting the country’s foreign exchange earnings. In this regard, the role of institutions is crucial in development of freelancing ecosystem in the country, including Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, Pakistan Software Export Board, and the Special Investment Facilitation Council in developing a supportive ecosystem for freelancers, he said.

The PAFLA chairman expressed optimism that the rollout of 5G technology will significantly improve internet speeds in near future, enhancing the productivity of freelancers, content creators, and other online professionals across the country.

Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the country’s leading telecom and ICT services provider, has announced its consolidated financial results for the quarter ended March 31, 2026. PTCL Group sustained strong growth momentum, further strengthening its position as Pakistan’s leading integrated telecom and ICT services provider.

During the period, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has formally approved the proposed amalgamation of Pak Telecom Mobile Limited and Telenor Pakistan (Private) Limited. The proposed amalgamation shall be implemented through a scheme of arrangement in accordance with applicable laws. The change of control of Telenor Pakistan was formally completed on December 31, 2025, bringing Telenor Pakistan and its infrastructure under PTCL’s full ownership. Building on this, PTCL progressed integration planning during Q1 2026. This consolidation is set to create a stronger, more efficient telecom platform with enhanced nationwide coverage, improved service quality, and a significantly expanded customer base, positioning PTCL as one of the leading players in Pakistan’s evolving digital and connectivity landscape. Effective 1st January 2026, financial results of Telenor Pakistan have been consolidated in PTCL Group.

Financial Highlights 

PTCL Group

• Consolidated revenue increased by 58% year-on-year, with the inclusion of Telenor Pakistan results into the PTCL Group and aided by sustained growth in fixed broadband, enterprise, wholesale, and mobile services.

• Consolidated operating profit surged by 564% with the inclusion of Telenor Pakistan, strong recovery of Ubank, sustained improvement of Ufone financial performance and continuation of PTCL’s strong operating results. 

• The Group achieved a net profit of Rs. 3.1 billion, marking a turnaround from the net loss of Rs. 4 billion reported in the comparative period primarily as a result of strong operating profit.

Wireline segment

• PTCL revenue grew by 6.5% YoY, led by 27% growth in Flash Fiber and 11% growth in Business Solutions. Carrier and Wholesale business sustained growth momentum with 14% increase YOY.

• PTCL reported an operating profit of Rs. 4.6 billion, representing 11% growth, while net profit stood at Rs. 0.9 billion for the quarter.

Wireless segment

• Revenue increased by 131% year-on-year, by the inclusion of Telenor Pakistan results and growth in both retail and corporate segments.

• Operating profit of Rs. 14.1 billion, reflects an increase of 190% year-on-year with the inclusion of Telenor Pakistan and sustained improvement of Ufone financial performance. 

• Net profit of Rs. 2.7 billion against a net loss of Rs. 1.3 billion in a comparable period is due to strong operating results and consolidation of Telenor Pakistan.

Banking segment

• Ubank posted revenue of Rs. 5.8 billion, while its bottom line improved significantly compared to the prior period marking a strong recovery in banking operations.

Operational Highlights

As part of its transformation journey, PTCL Group achieved a major milestone in Q1 2026 by securing a significant share of spectrum in Pakistan’s landmark 5G auction, positioning it at the forefront of next-generation connectivity. The acquisition of high-capacity spectrum in globally recognized 3.5 GHz and 2.6 GHz bands enables PTCL Group to deliver ultra-fast speeds, low latency, and advanced digital services across consumer and enterprise segments. Importantly, this spectrum will be leveraged across the combined Ufone and Telenor Pakistan footprint following their ongoing integration, creating the largest spectrum portfolio in the country serving more than 72 Million customers. This positions PTCL Group to accelerate nationwide 5G rollout, enhance network efficiency, and unlock new digital use cases across industries, reinforcing its leadership in enabling Pakistan’s digital future.

PTCL introduced an enhanced Flash Fiber portfolio in Q1, with entry-level speeds starting from 30 Mbps. This move underscores a strategic focus on elevating baseline broadband experience standards, aligning customer offerings with evolving digital consumption needs. 

PTCL Group maintained a strong performance in Q1 2026 as it continued to strengthen brand visibility and audience engagement through strategic campaigns aligned with culture, community, and consumer relevance. On World Education Day, PTCL launched a purpose-led campaign with Shehzad Roy to highlight the pressure often placed on children in the name of academic success, encouraging a more balanced and empathetic approach to learning through a national pledge initiative.

The Business Solutions segment sustained strong performance, with continued demand for ICT services, including cloud, data centers, managed services, and cybersecurity solutions. PTCL further strengthened its position as a trusted partner for government and enterprise customers.

Ufone also rolled out the Super 5 campaign, featuring Babar Azam, to reinforce its “Data Bohhaaat Hai” positioning through a shared connectivity proposition designed for up to five users. The campaign delivered strong traction, generating more than 91 million impressions, 15 million reach, and 10 million views. Ufone further strengthened its brand presence during the Pakistan Super League through its Peshawar Zalmi campaign, using anthem-led content, branded integrations, and fan engagement experiences to deepen cultural relevance and consumer affinity.

In Q1, 2026, Ufone continued its positive trajectory as market leader in digital recharge penetration with growth of 11% YoY in the digitally topped up value. Digital sim sales also registered a significant growth of 21% YoY. Both of these achievements were supported by company owned digital channels ‘selfcare app’, ‘website’ & ‘bot’ as well as with the collaboration of Ufone’s wide digital partner network.

Upaisa’s posted a solid 42% year on year growth, driven by effective customer acquisition and deeper wallet penetration.

Telenor Pakistan’s Retail revenue grew on the back of ARPU growth and increased customer engagement on larger data bundles with higher validity. During Q1, the Subscriber base grew by 1.7% with a high emphasis on good quality, data active customers. Focus on new customer segment through Gaming SIM, helped increase and retain high value customers.

Digitization remained a key focus area, with My Telenor App penetration continuing to rise steadily. A major redesign of the app user interface was delivered for improved customer experience, contributing to an 18% YoY increase in app user base. In parallel, multiple initiatives on digital distribution continued resulting in 34% YoY increase in digital recharge. Expansion of digitalization on Customer Care was supported with launch of the Whatsapp Chat Channel which helped improve digital customer experience and complaint resolution.

Telenor Pakistan successfully executed world’s largest single-go migration of entire provisioned customer base to a cloud based, 5G-enabled Charging and Billing System, unlocking 100+ APIs for a faster & more scalable digital foundation. AI Adoption remained a cornerstone of our strategy by showcasing AI‑enabled startups at Indus AI Week 2026 and launching AI Seekho in collaboration with Google and public‑sector partners to democratize AI learning nationwide.

Social Impact

During the quarter, PTCL advanced its social impact agenda through multiple initiatives focused on inclusion, public health, and basic needs. Under the Ba-Ikhtiar program, trainings were initiated across 22 districts, onboarding around 2,100 women for digital and entrepreneurial skill development. 

In collaboration with UNICEF, SMS broadcasts were deployed for polio awareness, while similar outreach support was extended to charitable organisations during Ramadan in line with their awareness and humanitarian campaigns. Alongside these efforts, PTCL’s Water Project remains under implementation across South Punjab and Thar, aimed at providing sustainable access to clean drinking water to approximately 150,000 people in water-stressed regions.

Telenor Pakistan partnered with UNICEF Pakistan to conduct Child Online Protection sessions. Strategic partnership with Four Brothers Group, is bringing digital advisory services to the agricultural community for sustainable farming. An industry‑first QR‑enabled SmartShop initiative is converting retail outlets into digital service points. Telenor Pakistan’s Global recognition at the GDEIB Awards 2026 and the HR Metrics DEI Survey, affirm Telenor Pakistan’s serving as a benchmark for inclusive, future-ready workplaces.

InfraZamin Pakistan Limited, in partnership with Infralectric, a Brillanz Group company, DIB Pakistan Limited, Bank Alfalah Limited, and Meezan Bank Limited, announced the signing of Pakistan’s first-ever PKR 3 Billion, ‘AAA’ Rated, Green Sukuk for the telecom sector, marking a major milestone in sustainable infrastructure financing and climate-aligned capital markets development. Under the transaction, InfraZamin Pakistan is providing a 100% principal guarantee for the PKR 3 billion Green Sukuk issued by Infralectric Private Limited with DIB Pakistan Limited, as the Lead Arranger of the Green Sukuk transaction demonstrating how ethical capital markets can lead the transition toward scalable, climate-aligned infrastructure financing.

The proceeds will finance one of Pakistan’s largest commercial deployments of lithium-ion Battery Energy Storage Systems (BESS) and solarization solutions for telecom tower infrastructure across the country. The transaction witnessed oversubscription by investors and initial disbursement is planned after completion of all formalities.

Commenting on the occasion, Maheen Rahman, Chief Executive Officer of InfraZamin Pakistan, said, “This landmark transaction demonstrates how innovative credit enhancement can unlock capital markets for transformative green infrastructure. By guaranteeing Pakistan’s first Green Sukuk for the telecom sector, InfraZamin is proud to catalyze sustainable private investment into climate-resilient infrastructure while deepening Pakistan’s debt capital markets. We are delighted to partner with Infralectric and Dubai Islamic Bank on this pioneering transaction.”

Bilal Qureshi, Group CEO, Brillianz Group, stated, “This landmark transaction sets a new benchmark for business model innovation, demonstrating how private capital can accelerate energy transition, reduce diesel reliance and forex pressure, and build a more resilient, AI-enabled telecom network for Pakistan.”

Muhammad Ali Gulfaraz, Chief Executive Officer of Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited, highlighted, “This agreement represents a defining moment in the Bank’s commitment to the country’s green transition. By structuring this PKR 3,000 million Green Sukuk, DIB Pakistan is demonstrating how Islamic capital markets can effectively bridge the gap between critical infrastructure needs and climate-conscious investment. The solarization of Pakistan’s telecom backbone will significantly lower dependence on conventional energy while reinforcing the resilience of the digital economy, proving that ethical finance serves as a powerful catalyst for large-scale environmental impact.”

Atif Bajwa, President and Chief Executive Officer of Bank Alfalah Limited, stated, “Bank Alfalah is pleased to contribute to this landmark Green Sukuk, representing a significant advancement in green finance and sustainable infrastructure development in Pakistan. This transaction underscores Bank Alfalah’s continued commitment to developing climate-aligned capital markets and facilitating the mobilization of private sector investment into environmentally responsible projects. The initiative is expected to play a meaningful role in promoting cleaner energy solutions within the telecom sector, while strengthening the resilience and sustainability of critical infrastructure across the country. I would like to extend my sincere appreciation to Infralectric, InfraZamin, and all partners involved for their collaboration and efforts in successfully delivering this transaction.”

Syed Tanveer Hussain, Chief Operating Officer, Wholesale Banking, Meezan Bank added: “Meezan Bank’s participation in this landmark syndicated Green Sukuk transaction, reflects our continued commitment towards advancing the role of Islamic finance in supporting sustainable and infrastructure-led development in Pakistan. This initiative, focused on green energy solutions for telecom infrastructure, represents a meaningful step towards reducing carbon emissions while enhancing operational efficiency within a critical sector of the economy. The inclusion of Infrazamin’s financial guarantee further strengthens the structure by enhancing investor confidence and facilitating broader market participation. Such transactions will deepen Pakistan’s Islamic capital market while supporting a more sustainable and resilient economy.”

Pakistan’s telecom sector, serving nearly 190 million mobile subscribers, is among the country’s most energy-intensive and operationally critical industries, with over 50,000 tower sites nationwide, many operating on weak-grid or off-grid power. This has historically resulted in heavy reliance on diesel generators, elevated operating costs, and significant carbon emissions. Through this transaction, Infralectric will deploy advanced battery storage, solar PV, Artificial-Intelligence enabled optimization, and remote monitoring solutions across approximately 1,955 telecom tower sites, significantly reducing diesel dependence, improving network reliability, lowering operational costs, and cutting emissions. Carbon emission reduction and fuel import bill reduction are among the key expected outcomes of the project.

In addition to InfraZamin Pakistan as Guarantor, Infralectric Private Limited as Issuer, and DIB Pakistan Limited, as Lead Arranger, the transaction has been supported by Bank Alfalah Limited as Joint Lead Arranger, Meezan Bank Limited as LC (Import) Bank, BankIslami Pakistan Limited as Investment Agent, DIB PF, DIB GF, Alfalah Asset Management Limited and NBP Fund Management Limited as investors, Ahmed & Qazi as Investor’s Legal Counsel, HP | FKM as Issuer’s Legal Counsel, Al Hilal as Shariah Advisor, Pakistan Environment Trust (PET) as Green Bond Consultant, and Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) as Rating Agency.

The transaction is expected to support hundreds of direct and indirect jobs through installation, maintenance, local manufacturing, remote monitoring, and technical field operations. By replacing diesel generators with clean distributed energy solutions, the initiative advances environmental sustainability while strengthening the resilience of Pakistan’s telecom infrastructure. The transaction contributes to Pakistan’s progress toward Sustainable Development Goals relating to Affordable and Clean Energy, Industry Innovation and Infrastructure, Climate Action, and Partnerships for the Goals.

This milestone reflects InfraZamin Pakistan’s continued commitment to enabling innovative financing solutions that mobilize private capital into sustainable, climate-aligned, and development-focused infrastructure projects across Pakistan.