ISLAMABAD: The Bank of Khyber (BOK) earned Rs 1.021 billion profit after tax (PAT) during the first half of 2016, showing 44 percent growth over the PAT of corresponding period of 2015, which was Rs 0.710 billion. This was discussed on Wednesday at the BOK board of directors meeting, chaired by Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Additional Chief Secretary and BOK Board Chairman Muhammad Azam Khan. The meeting was attended by BOK Managing Director Shamsul Qayyum, KP Finance Secretary Ali Raza Bhutta and BoD members Maqsood Ismail Ahmad, Asad Muhammad Iqbal, Javed Akhtar, Rashid Ali Khan along with BOK Chief Financial Officer Rahat Gul. The board expressed satisfaction over the performance and growth across all operational areas of the bank during the period under review and approved the accounts for the period that ended on June 30, 2016. The board was also informed that during the period, BOK’s operating profit was recorded at Rs 2.109 billion showing growth of 31% over Rs 1.610 billion of corresponding period where assets grew to Rs 175 billion, showing 23 percent rise over corresponding period where asset were Rs 142 billion as on June 2015. BOK investment recorded Rs 106 billion registering a growth of 28 percent against Rs 83 billion in the corresponding period of 2015. Muhammad BOK Board Chairman Azam Khan appreciated the management for its continued positive performance. The chairman appreciated efforts of all branches towards achievement of operational targets and advised the management to guide and support field staff to work more diligently, adding that growth in profitability was due to teamwork. The BOK chairman said that Rs 1.021 billion PAT in the half year shows the confidence of general public on BOK policies and its vital role for socio-economic upliftment across the country.