After UAE, Saudi Arabia expansion, Pakistan’s ABHI acquires FINCA microfinance bank

In this handout image released by Pakistani fintech ABHI on January 28, 2025, CEO of TPL Corp. Limited, Ali Jameel, CEO of ABHI, Omair Ansari (center) and Vice President – Chief Administrative Officer of FINCA, Jeffery Smith (left), pose for a photo at the final acquisition ceremony of FINCA Microfinance Bank Limited in Karachi, Pakistan. (Photo Courtesy: ABHI) 
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Updated 28 January 2025
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After UAE, Saudi Arabia expansion, Pakistan’s ABHI acquires FINCA microfinance bank

  • FINCA operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions
  • Partnership to help ABHI introduce financial services such as gold backed loans, salary advances for millions

KARACHI: After expanding its services in the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, Pakistani fintech ABHI has announced on Tuesday it has acquired FINCA microfinance bank to improve financial inclusion for millions of Pakistanis across the country. 

Abhi is a Pakistani fintech company that enables people to achieve financial empowerment through various services such as the Earned Wage Access (EWA) facility. Founded in 2021, Abhi has been serving customers in Pakistan, UAE, Saudi Arabia and Bangladesh through its credit-bridging products. 

FINCA Pakistan, part of a global FINCA network, operates in 108 cities across Pakistan, providing state-of-the-art deposit and payment solutions, including micro-credit facilities aimed at improving livelihoods.

“Together, these three entities are set to redefine financial inclusion in the country,” a statement from ABHI said. “By integrating ABHI’s digital solutions, FINCA’s extensive microfinance network, and TPL Corp’s diversified expertise across retail, insurance, and technology, the partnership paves the way for a new era of accessible and innovative financial services.”

It said FINCA Pakistan has empowered millions of Pakistanis through lending, savings and financial education over the past few years. The statement said the partnership will enable ABHI to introduce several financial services such as gold backed loans, salary advances, savings accounts and value-added offerings like bill payments. 

“At Abhi, our mission has always been to create accessible financial solutions for everyone,” Omair Ansari, the chief executive officer and co-founder oof ABHI, said. 

 “This acquisition represents a significant leap forward, allowing us to reach communities that have historically been excluded from the financial system. Together with TPL and FINCA, we are determined to transform financial access across Pakistan.”

Jeff Smith, chair of the FINCA Pakistan board of directors, said TPL and ABHI will live up to FINCA’s legacy of serving people.

“By combining their expertise and innovation, this partnership will accelerate financial inclusion in Pakistan, particularly for women and small entrepreneurs, empowering them to improve their livelihoods and contribute to the nation’s economic growth,” Smith said. 

The statement noted that ABHI has become the first fintech company in Pakistan to be invited to participate in Davos 2025, pointing out that it recently raised its pre-series B round of $25 million with a mix of equity and debt.


Pakistan’s top military commander hails Saudi defense pact as ‘historic’ at scholars’ conference

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Pakistan’s top military commander hails Saudi defense pact as ‘historic’ at scholars’ conference

  • Asim Munir says Pakistan has a unique bond with the Kingdom, citing the ‘honor’ of helping safeguard the holy sites
  • He says only the state can declare jihad, urging religious scholars to counter extremist narratives and promote unity

ISLAMABAD: Chief of Defense Staff Field Marshal Asim Munir on Wednesday described the country’s joint security pact with Saudi Arabia as a “historic” milestone, telling a gathering of religious scholars that Pakistan and the kingdom share a deep strategic relationship.

Signed in September, the Strategic Mutual Defense Agreement has solidified decades of Saudi–Pakistan defense cooperation, covering intelligence-sharing, counterterrorism and regional stability.

The two nations have long coordinated on defense matters, with Pakistani military personnel deployed in the Kingdom.

“The defense agreement [with Saudi Arabia] is historic,” he said in an address to the conference in the federal capital.

The top military commander said Pakistan regarded its connection with the Kingdom as unique.

“Among all Muslim countries, Allah has given Pakistan the honor of helping safeguard the Haramain,” he continued, referring to the two holiest sites of Islam in Makkah and Madinah.

Munir used his speech to warn against extremism, saying that under the Islamic framework, only the state could declare jihad, a pointed reference to groups such as the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan (TTP), which claims to act in the name of religion while carrying out attacks on civilians and security forces.

“When nations abandon knowledge and the pen, disorder takes hold,” he said, urging the religious scholars to help keep society unified and to “broaden the nation’s vision.”

Munir also criticized India, describing “terrorism” as “India’s habit, not Pakistan’s.”

His remarks came months after a four-day military confrontation in May, during which the two nuclear-armed neighbors exchanged artillery and missile fire and deployed drones and fighter jets.

India blamed Pakistan for a militant attack in Indian-administered Kashmir before launching a missile attack. Islamabad denied involvement and called for an international probe.

Pakistan claimed it had shot down six Indian fighter jets before a US-brokered ceasefire took effect.

“We do not hide when confronting the enemy,” Munir said. “We challenge openly.”