Pakistan and China are looking to extend their long-time partnership to a new era of data, technology and creativity, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif has stated, while urging Chinese businessmen to explore the potential in Punjab.

Addressing the International Big Data Expo in Beijing, she said that the Pakistan-China relationship was time-tested and founded on mutual respect and welcomed the Chinese investors to explore prospects in Punjab.

Provincial government is working to encourage digital transformation and to make Punjab a hub for modern technology and the digital economy, said Maryam Nawaz.

She added that the young of Punjab were being taught modern technical education and skills. Adding that the digital revolution was changing economies and had tremendous potential to create new employment opportunities.

She added artificial intelligence and big data would have a vital role to play in future development. The provincial government already employs AI in education, healthcare, agriculture and governance.

China’s rapid success in digital industry gave significant lessons to Pakistan, chief minister added. Pakistan would look to deepen collaboration with China in the fields of technology and digital, she added, noting the particularly amazing progress Guizhou has made in digital technology.

Earlier, CM Punjab visited Communist Party secretary in Beijing, He Zhongyou and discussed subjects of mutual interest and methods to deepen bilateral relations.

Punjab had huge investment prospects in technology, digital economy, artificial intelligence and agriculture, she said. “The province is undergoing big changes in the agricultural sector and still is a major food-producing area for the country,” she noted.

“The Chinese investors should take advantage of the opportunities in Punjab and contribute in the transformation of technology and agriculture in the province,” Maryam Nawaz said.

The government of Punjab has made the decision to make Artificial Intelligence (AI) a required topic in all public schools across the province. This decision was made with the intention of preparing pupils for the challenges that will be presented by a technological world that is constantly evolving.

The objective of the initiative is to provide students with a grasp of the fundamental understandings of artificial intelligence as well as its practical applications in a variety of sectors.

Educating kids about artificial intelligence will, according to the provincial administration, assist students in developing crucial technological skills while also increasing their critical thinking and problem-solving abilities respectively.

The Bank of Punjab (BOP) has declared its best ever operating performance for the first half of 2026 with operating profit reaching 67 percent year on year to Rs22.5 billion.

Net interest income grew 29 percent to Rs46.1 billion and non-markup revenue excluding gains grew 61 percent to Rs11.9 billion. The bank also announced its largest interim dividend on record – 16 percent in cash – in a sign of its continuing earnings growth and payments to shareholders.

The Board of Directors of BOP has examined and approved the unaudited results for the six months ended June 30, 2026. The results show continued commercial growth, rigorous cost control and enhanced revenue diversity throughout the bank’s activities.

Highlights at a Glance 1st Half 2026

Financial Performance Year-on-Year Growth Net Interest Income Rs46.1 billion (+29%)
Non-Markup Income Rupees 11.9 billion (+61%)
Operating Profit Rs22.5 billion (+67%)
Profit Before Tax Rs20.5 billion (+35%)
Profit After Tax Rs 9.5 billion (+40%)

Earnings growth

During the period, BOP’s earnings before tax was up 35 percent year on year to Rs20.5 billion while profit after tax was 40 percent to Rs9.5 billion.

The bank said the superior earnings performance was due to active asset-liability management, higher fee-based income and more diversified revenues. Disciplined expense control and enhanced operational efficiency also underpinned profitability, with the cost-to-income ratio improving by 2.40 percentage points throughout the first half of 2025.

The bank’s financial standing was sound, with total assets of Rs2,504 billion in the time. Total deposits were Rs2,154 billion, backed by 20 percent YoY growth in current deposits. Average current deposits grew much more strongly, at 26 percent.

BOP has increased its lending operations with total advances also up by 28 percent to Rs996 billion. “The bank continued to support economic activity through disciplined lending. “The loans include financing for important sectors of the economy.

It was well capitalised relative to regulatory standards. The capital adequacy ratio was 13.69 percent and the leverage ratio was 3.65 percent. BOP also completely complied with the provisioning requirements under IFRS9.

Strategic Growth

In 2026, the bank was given a significant boost to its credit status when the Pakistan Credit Rating Agency (PACRA) raised its long-term entity rating to AAA, the highest possible rating, with a Stable Outlook. The upgrading is a reflection of the development of BOP’s financial profile, market position, risk management and governance structure.

BOP is also expanding its international activities as it received in-principle approval from the State Bank of Pakistan to establish an Overseas Wholesale Banking Unit in Bahrain. The new business is designed to increase the bank’s cross-border banking capabilities, improve regional connections and foster institutional links across the Middle East.

Another noteworthy development is the proposed issuing of ordinary shares to the Government of Punjab for an amount of up to PKR30 billion. The idea, which still requires shareholder and regulatory clearances, would be carried out in two stages.

The proposal is for up to PKR20 billion to be infused by December 31, 2026 with the rest to be subscribed by June 30, 2027. The proposed equity support would enhance the bank’s ability to expand its balance sheet, and provide greater flexibility for strategic growth.

Banking awards

BOP has bagged three honours at Pakistan Banking honours 2026 winning the Best Bank for Agriculture Inclusion, Best SME Bank and Best Bank for Women’s Inclusion.

It is the third consecutive year that the bank has been recognised in both the agriculture and women’s inclusion awards and the fourth time it has won the SME award in five years.

BOP said it is the only bank to have received three prizes for two consecutive years and the only bank to have achieved what it characterised as a unique vertical and horizontal hat-trick throughout the accolades.

The bank remains a financial partner to the Government of Punjab, supporting public welfare programs, priority-sector financing and wider development efforts. It offers traditional and digital banking services to individuals, farmers, SMEs, corporate customers and public-sector entities, with a growing national footprint and a focus on financial inclusion.