Karachi: Arif Habib Limited announced an extension in the timeline for the Public Announcement of Offer to acquire a significant stake in Samba Bank Limited by Najd Gateway Holding Company. The acquisition involves 852,040,531 ordinary shares, representing 84.51% of Samba Bank's total issued and paid-up capital.

In a detailed report dated August 18, 2026, Arif Habib Limited referenced the initial Public Announcement of Intention published on February 20, 2026, and its subsequent addendum on March 5, 2026. These documents outlined the proposed acquisition of the shares of Samba Bank Limited, designated as the Target Company.

The negotiations and discussions between the parties involved have been ongoing, and as a result, the Public Announcement of Offer could not be made within the 180-day period mandated by Regulation 7(1) of the Listed Companies (Substantial Acquisition of Voting Shares and Takeovers) Regulations, 2017. This period was set to expire on August 19, 2026.

According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), the acquirer, Najd Gateway Holding Company, has thus opted to extend the timeline for making the Public Announcement of Offer by an additional ninety days. Consequently, the new deadline for the offer now stands at November 17, 2026.

This extension has been formally communicated to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the PSX, in compliance with the relevant regulatory framework. The extension reflects the ongoing commitment to finalize the acquisition process, ensuring all necessary negotiations are satisfactorily completed.

The market participants and stakeholders are advised to stay informed as further developments unfold regarding this substantial acquisition in the financial sector.