ISLAMABADI: National Bank of Pakistan has received approval for its long-delayed dividend payout after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif cleared the matter during a high-level meeting on energy security and the regional situation.
The approval removes a key procedural hurdle that had delayed the payout despite the bank reporting record earnings.
NBP had announced a final cash dividend of Rs35 per share for CY25, backed by a profit after tax of Rs85.91 billion, more than tripling year-on-year. Although shareholders approved the payout at the bank’s annual general meeting in March, the disbursement had remained pending due to federal approval requirements under the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974.
The delay had raised concerns among investors, particularly given the bank’s strong financial performance and previously approved dividend announcement.
With the Prime Minister’s clearance now granted, the dividend is expected to be released within the statutory timeline, easing uncertainty around payout execution.
Analysts say the development could help improve investor confidence in the banking sector and remove a key overhang surrounding one of Pakistan’s largest listed banks.
