Pakistan gets $1 billion term-finance facility through DIB arrangement
Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB), the world’s first Islamic bank and the UAE’s
largest, has successfully arranged a $1 billion syndicated term-finance
facility for the Government of Pakistan, marking a significant milestone in
sovereign Islamic financing.
Structured over five years, the facility is partially backed by a Policy-Based
Guarantee (PBG) from the Asian Development Bank (ADB)—the first-ever ADB PBG
transaction for Pakistan, and a crucial step in supporting the country’s access
to global capital markets.
Shariah-Compliant Financing at the Core
The financing structure is predominantly Islamic, with approximately 89% of
the total facility arranged through an AAOIFI-compliant Commodity Murabaha—a
clear reflection of rising demand for Shariah-based financial instruments and
Pakistan’s commitment to expanding its Islamic finance footprint.
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DIB acted as the Sole Islamic Global Coordinator and, alongside Standard Chartered, served as Joint Mandated Lead Arranger and Bookrunner. Other participating regional Islamic banks included Abu Dhabi Islamic Bank, Ajman Bank, and Sharjah Islamic Bank.
Pakistan’s Return to International Markets
Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb hailed the transaction as a
key endorsement of the country’s economic reform trajectory:
“This landmark financing not only reflects growing confidence from
international partners but also broadens our access to innovative, Shariah-compliant
funding solutions. We thank DIB and ADB for their pivotal role in supporting
Pakistan’s macroeconomic stability and sustainable growth.”
DIB’s Role in Driving Purpose-Driven Finance
Dr. Adnan Chilwan, Group CEO of DIB, emphasized the significance of this
transaction:
“This deal showcases how Islamic finance can scale to meet sovereign needs
through responsible, partnership-based models. We are proud to reintroduce
Pakistan’s credit to the Islamic term-financing market after over two years,
enabling broader access to Shariah-compliant liquidity.”
Dr. Chilwan noted that the structure was developed in close coordination
with the Government of Pakistan, ADB, and other key financial institutions,
aligning market innovation with national priorities and real-economy impact.
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A Strategic Milestone in Sovereign Islamic Finance
This facility not only marks Pakistan’s strategic re-entry into Middle East
capital markets but also reflects growing investor trust and demand for ethical,
cost-effective financing solutions.
For participating institutions, the transaction represents an opportunity to
support sustainable development in emerging markets while furthering the global
adoption of Islamic finance in sovereign funding.
By combining the strengths of regional and international partners under a
robust Shariah-compliant framework, this deal reinforces the role of Islamic
finance as a viable, values-driven tool for advancing fiscal resilience and
inclusive growth.
Source: Khaleej Times