Leading Islamic Banking & Finance specialists gather for IBA Alumni Reunion

April 19, 2024: The IBA Karachi was buzzing with excitement as leading institutions and minds associated with Islamic Banking and Finance gathered for the special program-specific IBA Alumni Reunion for MS Islamic Banking & Finance (MS-IBF), organized through a collaboration between the IBA Alumni Affairs Department and the MS-IBF Program. The event brought together graduates of the program along with senior leadership from Islamic banks and institutions that are key in bringing the Islamic finance revolutionization around the world. Over 85+ guests gathered at the IBA City Campus to network, learn and chart futures together representing more than 35 organizations.

The event was a collaboration between the IBA Alumni Affairs Department, School of Business Studies' Finance Department and MS Islamic Banking & Finance team and brought together senior leadership from local and multinational banks, government and state institutions and shariah experts to listen to leading minds and gain an understanding of the direction of the industry as a whole. Notable speakers and guests at the event included Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Governor State Bank of Pakistan and Former Dean & Director IBA; Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor State Bank of Pakistan; Yousaf Hussain, President & CEO Faysal Bank; Mufti Dr. Irshad Ahmad Aijaz, Chairman Shari'ah Advisory Committee SBP and SECP & Chairman Shari'ah Board BankIslami; Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Ltd.; Azhar Aslam, Managing Director Head Islamic Banking Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan; Rehmat Hasnie, CEO National Bank of Pakistan; Ahmad Ali, Director CEIF IBA Karachi; and Mufti Najeeb Khan, Visiting Faculty MS-IBF; and Dr. Irum Saba, Program Director MS-IBF.

Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh, Dean, School of Business Studies; and Dr. Hilal Anwar Butt, Chairperson, Finance Department also attended the event and met the guests. The speakers shared the latest industry insights, the growing demand for automation and technology to ensure Islamic banking customers received ease and convenience, and the risks the industry is facing towards the complete transition to Islamic Banking in Pakistan as per the Shari'ah decisions. During the networking session, a Q&A session took place, participants also shared their experiences of studying Islamic finance at IBA.

This event is a continuation of the IBA Alumni Affairs Department to curate industry focused networking events following previous successful events including the Banking and HR industry alumni reunion, the Supply Chain industry alumni reunion, and the Entrepreneurial Alumni Summit.