ISLAMABAD: Pakistani Religion Minister Chaudhry Salik Hussain on Thursday met Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah Dr. Tawfiq bin Fawzan Al-Rabiah and thanked him for his “special attention” toward facilitation of Pakistani pilgrims during the Hajj pilgrimage, the Pakistani religious affairs ministry said.
Hajj is one of the five pillars of Islam and requires every adult Muslim to undertake the journey to the holy Islamic sites in Makkah at least once in their lifetime if they are financially and physically able.
Pakistan has a Hajj quota of 179,210 pilgrims this year, of which around 70,000 people are performing the pilgrimage under the government scheme, while the rest have used private tour operators.
During the meeting with the Saudi Hajj and Umrah minister, Hussain lauded the Saudi government for introducing innovation and new facilities in Hajj arrangements every year.
“We [only] desire best facilities for government and private pilgrims from Saudi authorities,” Hussain was quoted as saying by the Pakistani religion ministry.
“I am happy with the special attention of the Saudi Hajj minister for the convenience of Pakistani pilgrims.”
The Saudi minister said the Pakistan Hajj Mission will be provided all-possible support in Mina and Arafat, according to the Pakistani religion ministry.
He said authorities were encouraging private companies to ensure better facilities at these places.
Pakistan’s Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia started moving pilgrims to Mina late Thursday.
Hajj pilgrims gather in Mina for the first day of Hajj, where they spend time preparing spiritually before heading to the plain of Arafat.
The Day of Arafat is considered the most significant day of Hajj where pilgrims engage in deep prayer and reflection, seeking forgiveness and blessings.
Following this, they proceed to Muzdalifah at night to collect pebbles, then move to perform the symbolic stoning of the devil at Jamarat, culminating with the celebration of Eid Al-Adha through the ritual of animal sacrifice.
Pakistan’s Religious Affairs Secretary Zulfiqar Haider, who was part of the meeting, said the two sides would have a “one-window” contact for the next year’s Hajj.
Religion minister thanks Saudi counterpart for facilitation of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims
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Religion minister thanks Saudi counterpart for facilitation of Pakistani Hajj pilgrims
- The statement came as Pakistan’s Hajj Mission in Saudi Arabia started moving pilgrims to Mina late Thursday
- Pilgrims gather in Mina for the first day of Hajj, where they spend time preparing before heading to Arafat
Veon Group invests $20 million in Pakistan’s Mobilink Bank to accelerate digital Islamic banking
- The investment builds on $15 million capital deployed by Veon in January 2025
- The capital will be used to scale the bank’s micro, small and medium enterprises
KARACHI: Global digital operator Veon Group has announced an investment of $20 million in Pakistan’s Mobilink Bank to support its growth and digital Islamic banking expansion in Pakistan, it said on Friday.
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. The Nasdaq-listed company operates across five countries that are home to more than 6 percent of the world’s population.
The investment builds on $15 million capital deployed by Veon in January 2025 and underscores its confidence in Mobilink Bank’s growth momentum and its integrated digital financial ecosystem with JazzCash, amid the rapid expansion of Pakistan’s digital banking and microfinance sector, according to Veon Group.
The capital will be used to scale Mobilink Bank’s micro, small and medium enterprises (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.
“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,” said Haaris Mahmood Chaudhary, president and chief executive officer of Mobilink Bank.
“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, according to a statement issued by Veon Group.
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 Rs15 trillion ($53 billion), underscoring the scale, resilience, and impact of fintech in advancing financial inclusion, social mobility, and responsible digital innovation across Pakistan.
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, according to the global digital operator.
“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,” Veon Group Executive Committee Member and Chairman Mobilink Bank, Aamir Ibrahim, was quoted as saying.
“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.”
