Karachi, January 21, 2026 – Meezan Bank has announced the allocation of a Rs10 million seed fund to provide venture-capital-style financing for startups recommended by the Korangi Association of Trade and Industry (KATI).
The initiative was unveiled by Dr. Syed Amir Ali, President and CEO of Meezan Bank, during a high-profile event at KATI. The financing will be offered strictly at the KIBOR rate, without any additional markup, offering crucial early-stage capital to emerging businesses.
The event was attended by senior KATI officials, including President Muhammad Ikram Rajput, Acting Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya, Senior Vice President Zahid Hameed, Vice President Muhammad Talha Ali, Standing Committee Chairman Rashid Siddiqui, and former presidents and chairmen of KATI. Key representatives of Meezan Bank, including Salman Ahmed, Umar Warsi, Mashkoor Khan, and Uzair Akbar Soomro, were also present alongside a large gathering of industrialists.
Dr. Syed Amir Ali highlighted that since commencing operations in 2002, Meezan Bank has grown into one of Pakistan’s top five banks, offering a range of industry-focused products such as supply chain financing. Through this facility, vendors, distributors, and suppliers can access shipment-based financing without collateral, with approvals processed digitally within minutes. During the pilot phase, financing worth Rs1.5 billion has already been disbursed, with expectations to surpass Rs3 billion.
KATI President Muhammad Ikram Rajput praised Meezan Bank’s support for SMEs, industrial growth, and Shariah-compliant banking, highlighting its role in driving exports, employment, and sustainable development. Acting Patron-in-Chief Zubair Chhaya emphasized that providing tailored financial solutions to SMEs can significantly boost Pakistan’s economic growth.
The event also underscored collaboration on vocational training, women empowerment initiatives, and CSR-led startup facilitation, strengthening long-term ties between the banking sector and industry.