Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has signed a crucial partnership with HBL Zarai Services Limited to advance agricultural financing for underserved communities under the ‘Zarkhez-e’ Asaan Digital Zarai Qarza Scheme.

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 utilized for productive purposes and contributes to improved farm-level outcomes. Moreover, it will strengthen the efficiency of the financing process through digital channels to enable more streamlined disbursements and transactions.

Whereas HBL Zarai, as an approved Agricultural Services Provider (ASP), will enable farmers to access high-quality agricultural inputs, ongoing agronomic advisory, mechanization services on a pay-per-use basis, and structured crop offtake solutions. This closed-loop model connects financing with input utilization and market access, enhancing transparency, minimizing inefficiencies, and strengthening farmers’ economic resilience.

Commenting on the occasion, Harris Mahmood Chaudhary, President and Chief Executive Officer, Mobilink Bank, said, “Mobilink Bank remains committed to expanding access to finance in a way that is both practical and meaningful. Through our collaboration with HBL Zarai, we are bringing a more integrated approach to agricultural financing by linking credit with inputs, advisory, and market access. This helps ensure that financing is used effectively, improves outcomes, and supports more sustainable and resilient livelihoods.”

Amer Aziz, Chief Executive Officer of HBL Zarai Services Limited, added, “This partnership with Mobilink Bank is a significant step toward strengthening the delivery of structured agricultural financing. By combining financial access with on ground agricultural services, we are ensuring that financing translates into real productivity, improved yields, and better market outcomes for farmers.”

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. The initiative supports national priorities for sustainable agriculture, financial inclusion, and inclusive economic growth to help Pakistan’s agriculture sector reach its full potential.

Islamabad: In a significant step toward strengthening small business financing in Pakistan, ABHI Microfinance Bank has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with DigiKhata, a leading digital ledger platform used by small and medium enterprises (SMEs), to enable structured financing solutions for businesses operating on DigiKhata’s platform.

The partnership is designed to connect digitally active SMEs with formal financial services, allowing eligible merchants and businesses on DigiKhata to access financing through ABHI Microfinance Bank. By combining DigiKhata’s digital business ecosystem with ABHI’s regulated banking infrastructure, the collaboration aims to help SMEs unlock working capital and accelerate business growth.

DigiKhata’s platform, widely used by small retailers and traders to manage sales, credit, and inventory records, generates digital transaction trails that can support more informed credit assessment. Through this integration, ABHI Microfinance Bank will be able to extend financing solutions to SMEs based on structured evaluation processes, bringing more businesses into the formal credit landscape.

Industry experts note that access to timely working capital remains one of the biggest barriers to SME growth in Pakistan. By embedding financial services within digital platforms already used by businesses, such partnerships are helping bridge the gap between informal trade and formal banking channels.

The initiative is expected to support business expansion, inventory management, and cash flow stability for small merchants, enabling them to scale operations with greater financial confidence. The move also aligns with broader efforts to promote financial inclusion by bringing underserved business segments into the documented economy.

The MoU was formally signed by Mariam Pervaiz, Chief Communications Officer, ABHI Microfinance Bank, and Adnan Aslam, Chief Executive Officer, DigiKhata. Also present at the ceremony was Kabeer Naqvi, Entrepreneur in Residence at ABHI Financials, along with representatives from both organisations.

Mariam Pervaiz, CCO, ABHI Microfinance Bank, said the collaboration reflects the Bank’s focus on empowering small businesses through technology-driven finance. She said, “SMEs are the backbone of Pakistan’s economy, yet many remain outside the formal financial system. By partnering with DigiKhata, we are meeting businesses where they already operate digitally and enabling access to responsible financing that can help them grow, stabilise cash flows, and scale sustainably.”

Adnan Aslam, CEO, DigiKhata, highlighted the importance of linking digital record-keeping with access to capital. Aslam said, “Small businesses today are generating valuable financial data through digital tools, but access to formal credit has often remained out of reach. This partnership with ABHI Microfinance Bank creates a pathway for merchants on DigiKhata to turn their digital activity into financial opportunity, supporting the next phase of their growth.”

The partnership signals a broader shift in Pakistan’s financial landscape, where digital platforms and banks are increasingly working together to build inclusive financial ecosystems that support entrepreneurship, economic resilience, and business formalization.

In a move aimed at widening access to small-ticket digital financing in Pakistan, ABHI Microfinance Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with Zanda Financial Services (Pvt.) Ltd., a technology-enabled non-banking finance company, to deliver digital lending solutions through integrated digital platforms.

The collaboration combines ABHI Microfinance Bank’s regulated banking infrastructure with Zanda’s digital customer interface, creating a model that allows eligible users to apply for and access loans through a seamless mobile experience. Loan disbursement, wallet operations, and repayment channels will be supported through ABHI’s banking systems, ensuring the process operates within a secure and compliant financial framework.

Industry observers see such partnerships as a growing trend in Pakistan’s financial sector, where banks and fintechs are increasingly working together to bridge the gap between formal finance and digitally active but underserved populations. By embedding credit into digital ecosystems, the initiative is expected to offer an alternative to informal borrowing channels that many low- and middle-income individuals rely on for short-term liquidity needs.

The model focuses on short-tenure, small-value loans designed to support everyday financial requirements — from emergency expenses to short-term cash flow gaps. With customer verification, risk assessment, and system integrations forming a core part of the structure, both institutions aim to ensure responsible lending practices remain central to the offering.

Beyond individual access to credit, the partnership signals a broader shift in how financial services are being delivered in Pakistan. Rather than relying solely on physical branch networks, banks are increasingly using technology partnerships to extend their reach into digital channels where customers already transact and engage. This approach is seen as key to accelerating financial inclusion while maintaining regulatory safeguards.

For ABHI Microfinance Bank, the agreement aligns with its strategy of building ecosystem-based financial solutions that combine banking stability with fintech innovation. For Zanda, the partnership provides the regulated financial backbone required to scale digital lending in a structured environment. Together, the institutions are positioning themselves within Pakistan’s fast-evolving digital finance landscape, where demand for quick, accessible, and formal credit continues to rise.

The agreement was formally signed by Mariam Pervaiz, Chief Commercial Officer, ABHI Microfinance Bank, and Saif Ul Islam, Chief Executive Officer, Zanda Financial Services. Also present at the ceremony was Kabeer Naqvi, Entrepreneur in Residence at ABHI Financials, along with representatives from both organizations.

Mariam Pervaiz, CCO, ABHI Microfinance Bank, said the partnership reflects the Bank’s continued focus on inclusive, technology-led finance.

“Digital access to formal credit is becoming essential for financial resilience. By partnering with Zanda, we are extending responsible lending through digital ecosystems where customers already operate, while ensuring the strength, compliance, and security of a regulated banking environment remain at the core of the experience.”

Saif Ul Islam, CEO, Zanda Financial Services, noted that collaboration with a regulated bank is key to scaling sustainable digital lending.

“Our platform is designed to make financing seamless and accessible. Working with ABHI Microfinance Bank allows us to combine innovation with financial discipline, enabling us to serve customers more efficiently while maintaining the trust and safeguards required in today’s financial landscape.”

Mobilink Bank is a part of VEON Group, a global digital operator that provides services to over 150 million connectivity customers and over 140 million monthly active digital users. VEON Group (Nasdaq: VEON) is a Nasdaq-listed company that operates across five countries that are home to more than 6% of the world’s population.

The capital will be used to scale Mobilink Bank’s MSME financing portfolio, advance its Islamic banking offerings, and strengthen its evolution into a technology-driven, digitally native bank, with a continued focus on expanding regulated financial access for underserved communities, particularly small businesses and women.

The investment reflects VEON Group’s broader digital strategy of strengthening high-impact financial ecosystems through technology-led solutions and disciplined capital deployment, positioning Mobilink Bank as a key contributor to Pakistan’s evolving financial sector.

Commenting on the development, VEON Group Executive Committee Member and Chairman Mobilink Bank, Aamir Ibrahim, said: “This continued stream of investment from VEON underscores our long-term commitment to Pakistan and confidence in the structural shift underway in the country’s digital financial services ecosystem. It strengthens Mobilink Bank and JazzCash’s ability to execute on our strategic priorities, invest in resilient technology infrastructure, and contribute to the development of inclusive and sustainable digital banking.”

Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, President and CEO Mobilink Bank, added: “This investment will accelerate the expansion of our shariah-compliant Islamic banking offerings, helping small businesses formalize cash flows, access regulated credit, and build long-term financial resilience. As a future-ready digital bank, our focus remains on delivering practical, technology-enabled financial solutions that empower entrepreneurs – particularly women and underserved communities – across Pakistan.”

Mobilink Bank’s expanding deposit base and MSME-oriented lending portfolio are enabling small businesses to transition from informal cash usage to regulated banking, while targeted women-centric financial products and green financing initiatives support inclusive growth and resilience in the face of Pakistan’s climate and economic challenges.

Mobilink Bank, together with JazzCash, which serves over 57 million customers and is supported by a nationwide network of more than one million merchants and agents, anchors one of Pakistan’s largest digital financial ecosystems. During the year, JazzCash processed gross transaction value exceeding PKR 15 trillion, underscoring the scale, resilience, and impact of fintech in advancing financial inclusion, social mobility, and responsible digital innovation across Pakistan.

Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank, Mobilink Bank has entered into a strategic partnership with IMARAT Group, one of the country’s premier real estate conglomerates, to enhance access to housing finance, and drive economic empowerment through technology-driven banking solutions.

Pakistan currently faces a housing crisis, with World Bank estimates placing the housing shortage at around 12 million units. The situation is further aggravated by declining affordability, rising property prices, and higher mortgage rates. Mobilink Bank simplifies access to housing finance by offering inclusive, customer-centric solutions that enable low-income and underserved households to secure affordable and dignified homes. The bank’s partnership with IMARAT will revolutionize the home loan experience for their shared customers and employees by digitizing the entire mortgage journey, expanding banking access across IMARAT developments, and onboarding IMARAT employees into Mobilink Bank’s comprehensive digital banking suite. 

The housing finance customers will experience a fully digital onboarding process through IMARAT’s Propmex.ai platform, supported by API integration between IMARAT and Mobilink Bank for seamless property verification. IMARAT will also feature Mobilink Bank’s Mortgage Calculator across its digital platforms, allowing customers to assess affordability and access real-time home financing options.

Mobilink Bank will extend its Employee Banking Suite to IMARAT employees to provide them with salary accounts, digital banking services, insurance coverage, and exclusive financial benefits. Additionally, IMARAT employees will gain access to preferential loan products, including House Finance, Personal Loans, and Solar/EV Loans, designed to promote financial well-being and sustainable living. IMARAT Group will reciprocate by opening corporate banking accounts with Mobilink Bank and maintaining substantial current account balances to support mutual business growth.

To foster digital access and enablement, Mobilink Bank will also install ATMs and Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) at IMARAT’s commercial projects to encourage cashless transactions. The partnership will also expand Mobilink Bank’s merchant ecosystem by deploying Point-of-Sale (POS) machines across IMARAT malls, brands, and retail outlets, driving digital payment adoption and supporting MSME growth.

Speaking on the occasion, Atta-ur-Rehman, Chief Business Officer, Mobilink Bank, said, “Mobilink Bank is deeply committed to empowering individual and institutional clients through customized financial solutions, digital banking tools, and technology-driven integrations. Pakistan’s housing gap is not just a statistic, but a barrier to dignity, stability, and economic mobility for millions of families. We are committed to breaking this barrier by making housing finance more accessible, affordable, and inclusive through a deep focus on empowering every household to step into a safer, more secure future. Our collaboration with IMARAT will bring us closer to our long-term ambition.”

Shafiq Akbar, Chairman IMARAT Group, said, “This partnership with Mobilink Bank is a major step toward digitizing how real estate operates in Pakistan. We have always believed that technology has the power to simplify every part of the property journey, from buying and selling to financing. Through this collaboration, we are bringing that vision to life by making home ownership easier, smarter, and more accessible while paving the way for a more connected and financially inclusive future.”

The collaboration underscores Mobilink Bank’s leadership in digital banking, housing finance, and employer banking solutions, and reaffirms its commitment to catering to the evolving financial needs of its diverse customer base.