Pakistan And Bangladesh Agree To Expand Cooperation
February 24, 2026
The CCP approves Eve Holdings’ acquisition of First Women Bank Ltd under Pakistan’s privatisation process, citing no competition concerns.
Read more: Pakistan-UAE Strengthen Ties Through FWBL Acquisition
The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has approved the proposed acquisition of First Women Bank Ltd (FWBL) by Eve Holdings RSC Ltd under a share-purchase agreement executed as part of the government’s privatisation process.
The approval followed a phase-I competition assessment conducted under the Competition Act, 2010. Eve Holdings, a special purpose holding company incorporated in Abu Dhabi, will acquire the entire shareholding of FWBL from the Government of Pakistan and existing institutional shareholders.
These shareholders include Habib Bank Ltd, MCB Bank Ltd, Allied Bank Ltd, National Bank of Pakistan and United Bank Ltd. Upon completion of the transaction, Eve Holdings will assume full ownership and control of the bank.
According to the CCP’s assessment, FWBL maintains a limited presence in the commercial banking market, while the acquirer has no existing operations in the relevant or related market. As a result, the transaction qualifies as a conglomerate merger and does not raise competition concerns.
The decision clears a key regulatory hurdle in the privatisation of FWBL and marks another step in Pakistan’s broader efforts to streamline state-owned enterprises through strategic divestment and private-sector participation.
