Askari Bank Limited (PSX: AKBL) has reported a profit after tax (PAT) of Rs13.3 billion for the first half of 2026, registering a 25% year-on-year increase compared with Rs10.62 billion in the same period last year.

According to the bank’s unconsolidated financial results submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), profit after tax for the April-June quarter also increased sharply, rising 93% year-on-year to Rs6.76 billion.

Alongside the results, the bank announced an interim cash dividend of Rs2 per share, or 20%, for H1 2026. This is in addition to the first interim dividend of Rs2 per share already paid, taking the total announced dividend for the period to Rs4 per share.

Askari Bank recorded a profit before tax of Rs28 billion during H1, up 1.2% year-on-year. However, higher taxation of Rs14.7 billion limited growth in net profit.

The bank’s total income increased 15% year-on-year to Rs56.5 billion, while net markup income rose to Rs43.9 billion. Fee and commission income grew 49% to Rs4.8 billion, while foreign exchange income surged more than 75% to Rs3 billion.

Dividend income also increased 56% to Rs720 million during the period.

Operating expenses, however, climbed 40% year-on-year to Rs28 billion compared with Rs20.5 billion a year earlier.

Askari Bank paid Rs14.7 billion in taxes during H1 2026, including Rs7.6 billion during the second quarter.