Pakistan’s banking sector’s profit rise by 11% during 2025

2026-02-27 - 15:14

Pakistan’s banking sector posted profits of Rs671 billion during 2025, recording a healthy 11% increase as compared to the previous year. According to media reports, profit growth was primarily driven by a sharp decline in interest expenses, which more than offset lower interest income in a low policy-rate environment, resulting in higher net interest income. United Bank Limited (UBL) posted the highest profit-after-tax (PAT) of Rs130 billion, followed by Meezan Bank Limited (MEBL) with Rs90.7 billion and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) with Rs85 billion. On a year-on-year basis, NBP recorded a 227% increase in earnings, driven by higher net interest income and the impact of a one-off pension charge recognised in CY24. UBL posted 73% growth, while Bank of Punjab reported an 18% increase. Among dividend-paying banks, MCB Bank declared Rs36 per share, followed by NBP at Rs35, UBL at Rs29.5 and Meezan Bank at Rs28 per share. Habib Bank Limited (HBL) held the largest deposit base at Rs5.5 trillion, followed by UBL with Rs5.1 trillion and Meezan Bank with Rs3.3 trillion. UBL also led in deposit growth with a 96% year-on-year increase, followed by Faysal Bank at 37% and Meezan Bank at 28%. Fee relief for conversion of physical shares into digital form