Imtiaz Haider is a business graduate and lawyer with over 30 years of leadership and regulatory experience across Pakistan’s capital markets, corporate sector, non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), real estate investments, and financial institutions. Haider has held senior leadership roles in both the public and private sectors. His positions include Managing Director of the Islamabad Stock Exchange, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan’s first REIT Management Company, Chief Executive Officer of the Punjab Land Development Company, Director General at Hamdard University, and National Senior Monitoring and Evaluation Specialist at the Asian Development Bank.

During his earlier tenure as Commissioner at the SECP from 2011 to 2014, he led key regulatory reforms in market development, risk management, transparency, and investor protection. These initiatives strengthened supervisory frameworks, improved corporate governance, and enhanced confidence among market participants. Haider has also served on the boards of the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), Central Depository Company (CDC), National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL), Infrastructure Fund Management Pakistan (IFMP), JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company, and two listed companies. This board-level experience has given him a strong understanding of governance, regulation, and institutional operations across the financial ecosystem.

As Managing Director of the Islamabad Stock Exchange, he led financial restructuring of the institution, ensured regulatory compliance, and operationalized the 22-storey ISE Tower as a sustainable revenue-generating asset. As CEO of the REIT Management Company, he established Pakistan’s first REIT Management Company from inception, including formation documentation, trust deeds, feasibility studies, and full regulatory compliance. Mr. Haider’s career reflects a strong combination of policy development, regulatory oversight, corporate governance, and institutional reform.

Saleem Ullah is the Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), appointed by the Federal Government on 11 August 2023 for a five-year term. In his current role, he oversees five key groups within the Bank: Digital Financial Services, Financial Inclusion, Information Technology, Human Resources & Services, and Finance & Risk Management.

With over 28 years of experience in central banking, Saleem has held various senior positions at SBP, including Executive Director of Financial Resource Management. His areas of expertise include agricultural credit, development finance, Islamic banking, finance, microfinance, and strategic management. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Governor, he served as Managing Director of the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC).

Saleem Ullah holds a Master in Public Policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government. He is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan and an Associate Member of the Institute of Bankers of Pakistan. He also holds an MBA from the Institute of Management Sciences, Bahauddin Zakariya University, Multan.

Adnan Fasih is Group Head of Islamic Banking at HBZ SIRAT. Adnan has a successful track record of setting up Islamic banking business lines and tapping new opportunities across geographies. Since 2012, Adnan has been in a leadership role for establishing and growing Islamic banking within HBZ. Since 2014 the brand has expanded into the UAE, South Africa, the UK and Switzerland. Adnan has over 30 years of banking experience with a strong focus on global Islamic finance for more than 15 years. He has also held strategic and management roles in corporate, retail, commercial and risk management segments with other top tier banks in Pakistan and the UAE. Adnan holds an MBA from University of Leicester and an Islamic Finance qualification from Dow Jones. He also has certification for Islamic Finance & SDG from UNDP & IsDB. Adnan works regularly and closely with leading global Shariah advisors and is also a certified director.

Adnan Syed is a senior fintech and financial services professional with over 20 years of experience, including more than 12 years in senior leadership roles. His expertise spans digital financial services, government-to-person (G2P) payments, financial inclusion, branchless banking and interoperable payment infrastructure.

He currently supports the Sindh Social Protection Authority (SSPA), Government of Sindh, on a World Bank-funded project, leading fintech strategy and implementation for digital social protection payments and beneficiary financial inclusion.

Throughout his career, Adnan has held senior leadership positions at prominent financial services and fintech organisations, including wAI Industries, Foree, U Microfinance Bank and HBL Microfinance Bank. He has extensive experience in developing digital payment ecosystems and facilitating integrations with key national institutions and platforms, including the State Bank of Pakistan, Raast, 1LINK and NADRA.

His professional focus includes digital public infrastructure, inclusive digital finance, next-generation payment systems and technology-driven public service delivery.

Asim Hameed is an accomplished Islamic banking and finance specialist with over 18 years of experience across diverse banking segments. His contributions to the industry have been recognised internationally, including the Best Contributor Award in Islamic Banking & Finance in Tanzania and the Best Contribution in Sukuk Issuance Award from AlHuda International, UAE.

He currently serves as Senior Vice President and Head of Products & Transformation (Pakistan) within the Islamic Banking Division of HabibMetro SIRAT, a subsidiary of Habib Bank AG Zurich. He is also a CRC Committee member at AAOIFI, Bahrain, Chairperson of the Shariah Board at iTrust Ltd in Tanzania, and a faculty member at the Institute of Business Management in Pakistan.

Throughout his career, Asim has held key positions at leading financial institutions, including Meezan Bank, HBL Islamic Banking, Faysal Bank, Summit Bank, Amana Bank in Tanzania, and EY’s Islamic Financial Services Group. His expertise spans Islamic financial product development, Shariah structuring, Islamic accounting, risk management, operational infrastructure, brand development, capacity building and training. He has also undertaken specialised assignments across more than 10 international markets and provided advisory services across five financial sectors.

Academically, Asim holds an MS and an MBA in Islamic Banking & Finance, a Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking & Takaful, an ACCA Advanced Diploma in Accounting & Business, and Foundations in Accountancy. He is also a Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA) accredited by AAOIFI, Bahrain.

In addition to his industry and advisory roles, Asim regularly conducts Islamic banking and finance training programmes at the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF), State Bank of Pakistan. He is a frequent speaker at local and international conferences and seminars and contributes to international publications on key developments and issues in Islamic banking and finance.

Azeem Pirani is COO and Executive Director at EFU Life Assurance. Prior to this, he was the CEO at Pak-Qatar Family Takaful. Azeem is a Founding Trustee at Ihsaas Trust, a provider of microfinance, dedicated to developing sustainable livelihoods for the economically challenged, and providing social support. Azeem holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking & Finance from the Centre of Islamic Economics in Pakistan, an MBA in International Business from the University of New Brunswick in Canada, and a BBA in Finance from the University of Houston in the US. He is also a Certified Director, under the SECP’s Listed Companies Regulations, from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants.

Fasih Siddiqui is a Chartered Accountant specialising in digital assets, financial regulation and Islamic finance. He previously worked in financial services at A.F. Ferguson & Co. (PwC Pakistan) and now advises financial institutions and fintechs on tokenisation and Pakistan’s evolving virtual asset regulatory framework.

Ghulam Muhammad Abbasi serves as Executive Director overseeing the Islamic Finance and Financial Inclusion Groups at the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). With nearly 30 years of experience in banking regulation, supervision, and finance, he brings extensive expertise in Islamic banking, financial inclusion, SME finance, and regulatory policy.

Since 2015, he has played a pivotal role in advancing Islamic finance in Pakistan, leading key initiatives in Shariah governance, regulatory development, liquidity management, and capacity building. He currently plays a leading role in Pakistan’s transition from conventional to Islamic banking following the Federal Shariat Court’s judgment on Riba.

Husain is a vastly experienced banker who has been working within the Islamic financial marketplace for the past 30 years for various highly regarded regional and international financial institutions. Most recently, he held senior executive positions within MFAI (Jersey), a wholly-owned subsidiary of DMI Group. This followed his tenure as COO in the CMA-licensed Gulf Investors Asset Management Company.

Having started his career in banking in Bahrain, Husain was appointed the Regional Director and Head of GCC and Islamic banking at Societe Generale where he was based in Dubai. Prior to returning to Bahrain as CEO of Investment Dar Bank, Husain was the General Manager of ADNIF, the Islamic subsidiary of National Bank of Abu Dhabi.

Jawad Hashmi is a seasoned capital market executive with over three decades of leadership experience across stock exchanges, investment banking, brokerage operations, operational risk, and banking services. He has played a pivotal role in modernizing market infrastructure, strengthening operational resilience, enhancing governance, and driving innovation within Pakistan’s capital markets.

Prior to joining Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) in 2018, Mr. Hashmi spent over 12 years with Emirates NBD Group, UAE, where he held several senior leadership positions, including Chief Operating Officer of Emirates NBD Securities. During his tenure, he led brokerage operations across multiple regional exchanges and partnered with the Group Operational Risk Control Unit to strengthen governance and operational risk frameworks across Treasury & Capital Markets, Brokerage, Asset Management, and the Bank’s international operations in London, Singapore, and Saudi Arabia. Earlier in his career, he held leadership roles at Emirates Islamic Bank, IGI Investment Bank, and the then Lahore Stock Exchange.

At PSX, Hashmi has led several landmark initiatives that have strengthened Pakistan’s capital market infrastructure. He played an instrumental role in the successful implementation of the New Trading System (NTS), led the operationalization of Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), led the implementation of the new brokerage regime, and spearheaded the launch of Government of Pakistan Sukuk at PSX in close coordination with the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Finance, and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. These initiatives have enhanced market efficiency, expanded investment opportunities, and supported the continued development and diversification of Pakistan’s capital markets.

Hashmi holds an MBA in Finance from Karachi University, an MS in Management from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), Karachi, and is an Associate of the Chartered Institute for Securities & Investment (CISI), UK. He has also completed Executive Education in Managerial Leadership from Harvard Business School Executive Education. He is a Certified Director, serves as PSX’s nominee director on the Board of the Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP), and represents PSX on various strategic committees and forums of the SECP, SBP, and the Ministry of Finance.

Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan is a distinguished Shariah scholar with extensive expertise in Islamic jurisprudence, Islamic finance, and Halal regulatory governance. Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan currently serves as the Chairperson of the Shariah Board of HabibMetro SIRAT. In addition, Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan serves as the Chairperson of Bank Makramah Limited and as a Shariah Board member at Faysal Bank Limited, having previously served as a Shariah Board member at Habib Bank AG Zurich Dubai and Sindh Bank. Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan holds an M.Phil. degree in Islamic Studies and a Takhassus Fil Iftaa—a postgraduate degree of specialization in Islamic Jurisprudence and Islamic Finance—from Jamia Darul Uloom, Karachi. Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan also serves as the Vice Chairman of the Shariah Supervisory Council of Al Hilal Shariah Advisors. Furthermore, Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan contributes in advisory capacities to the Hira Foundation School, the Hira Institute of Emerging Sciences, and the Centre for Islamic Economics. As an active member of numerous national and international Shariah and Halal regulatory bodies, Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan has served as the Chairman of the Shariah Board of the Halal Awareness and Research Council. As a seasoned educator and trainer, Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan also delivers professional training programs and lectures at leading institutions, including NIBAF (State Bank of Pakistan), IBA Karachi, the University of Karachi, and the OIC Halal Committee.

Muhammad Faisal Shaikh is the Head, Shariah Compliance & Advisory at Faysal Bank. Faysal Bank recently completed the conversion of its entire conventional banking business into a full-fledged Islamic bank. Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) recognized this conversion as a ‘first of its scale’ in the domain of Islamic banking, globally. As Head of Islamic Banking at Faysal Bank, he played a key role in the conversion process and ensured smooth conversion of the bank’s business. A graduate of the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, he has over 24 years of experience in the field of Shariah structuring, compliance and product development. Prior to joining Faysal Bank, he was associated with BankIslami Pakistan and Meezan Bank as part of founding teams. He has been instrumental in the development of various pioneering Islamic corporate & consumer banking products and Sukuk structures in Pakistan including the Islamic Export Refinance Scheme of the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan’s inaugural sovereign International Sukuk. He led the team which converted conventional assets and liabilities of KASB Bank after its acquisition by BankIslami Pakistan. Prior to this, his team structured the acquisition and conversion of Citibank Pakistan’s conventional housing finance portfolio by BankIslami Pakistan. He was part of Meezan Bank’s founding team and was an active member of the team responsible for the conversion and merger of the Pakistan operations of Societe Generale into Meezan Bank. He also played an important role in the development of pioneering commercial banking products under Islamic modes of finance. Given his experience in the conversion process, SBP has nominated him as a member of multiple working groups of the Committee for Transformation of Conventional Banking into Islamic.

Naeem Khanani is CEO of DigiEstate Private Limited, a Pakistan-based platform developing blockchain-enabled real estate tokenisation solutions. The initiative is undergoing regulatory sandbox testing with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), involving key capital market institutions and industry participants. With over 30 years of experience spanning engineering, finance, corporate governance and technology, Naeem serves as an Independent Director and Chairman of the Audit Committee at Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited, with oversight responsibilities across several listed REITs. His experience includes corporate governance, risk management, regulatory compliance and capital market transactions. He is also CEO of Magna Engineering and holds non-executive directorships and advisory positions across engineering, technology and healthcare businesses. Beyond his corporate responsibilities, Naeem is involved in several development and charitable organisations in Pakistan, particularly those supporting healthcare, rehabilitation and community development.

With extensive experience of 25 years in banking and digital finance, Rukhsana currently serve as Chief Treasury & Alternate Investments at Raqami Islamic Digital Bank –Pakistan’s first fully digital Islamic bank – where she leads the development of innovative Shariah compliant financial solutions and oversees treasury, FX, ALCO and investment functions. She works closely with the CEO and Board to drive strategic decision-making, liquidity management and rating initiatives aligned with digital banking best practices. Previously, she headed the Treasury Division at Sindh Bank, managing a PKR 300+ billion balance sheet and executing FX hedging and liquidity strategies. Her career also includes roles at the Asian Development Bank, where she helped establish the Sindh Fund Management House, and at leading asset management firms like NBP Funds and BMA, where Narejo specialized in fixed income and portfolio management. Her deep expertise in treasury, digital finance, financial markets and regulatory-aligned investment strategy positions her as a leader in modern banking transformation.

Sadaf is an Islamic finance professional with extensive experience in Shariah compliance, product development and Islamic banking advisory. She currently serves in Group Islamic Banking at Habib Bank AG Zurich, having previously worked as Manager – Shariah Board Secretariat at Habib Metro, where she supported Shariah governance and compliance initiatives.

Since beginning her career in 2005, Sadaf has contributed to various Islamic finance initiatives, including Shariah stock screening for portfolio management and advisory services for Shariah-compliant housing products in Australia during her tenure at Usmani & Co. Shariah Advisors, affiliated with Dar-ul-Uloom Karachi.

Committed to advancing Islamic finance, she regularly conducts capacity-building sessions for local and international audiences and contributes to industry discussions on product innovation and structural challenges in Islamic banking.

Sadaf holds a Bachelor’s degree and an MBA from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA), as well as an MSc in Islamic Banking and Finance from INCEIF, Malaysia. In recognition of her contributions to the industry, she received the Women in Islamic Finance Award 2026 from the IBA Centre of Excellence in Islamic Finance.

Salman has worked and lived in Dubai, Karachi, London, Manama and Riyadh. He specialises in all forms of debt finance (cross-border and domestic) including related (non contentious) restructuring work representing borrowers, lenders and investors. Salman is regarded as one of the foremost experts in the field of Islamic finance and has been ranked in the highest tier by, amongst others: IFN, The Legal 500 2014 onwards (leading Islamic finance lawyers (London and Bahrain)), IFLR 1000 (Highly regarded) 2018 onwards, Chambers Global 2017 (Up and Coming) onwards, and Banking, Finance and Transactional Guide (2017 onwards).

He has extensive on-the-ground experience of structuring, negotiating (including the negotiation of intercreditor relationships among senior and junior creditors) and documenting major financings in Asia, the Middle East (including numerous transactions in Bahrain, Oman and KSA) and Africa. He also has a wealth of experience in capital markets transactions including numerous award winning and landmark transactions. He represents issuers and underwriters on the full spectrum of debt, equity and hybrid security offerings.

Salman additionally advises on sanctions, financial regulation and financial crime matters, supporting clients in managing regulatory, compliance and reputational risks across multiple jurisdictions. He regularly advises financial institutions, corporates and investors on sanctions exposure, transaction structuring and compliance frameworks, with particular experience in UK, EU and OFAC sanctions regimes and matters involving Iran, Libya, Syria and Sudan.

Mufti Shahzaib Rajper is a Shariah scholar and Islamic finance professional with nearly a decade of experience in Shariah governance and advisory, risk and compliance, Islamic financial product structuring, and professional training.

He previously served as a Shariah Compliance Officer at a reputable bank, overseeing Shariah compliance across banking operations and contributing to the development and structuring of Islamic financial products. He has also served as visiting faculty at several universities, teaching Islamic finance and Islamic jurisprudence.

Mufti Rajper holds a Takhasus fil Ifta in Islamic Banking and Finance from Darul Uloom Memon, Karachi, and a Shahadat-ul-Aalamiyyah from Tanzeem-ul-Madaris, Lahore. He also holds a Master’s degree in Islamic Studies and Arabic from the University of Karachi and is currently pursuing a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance.

His professional qualifications include Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) and AAOIFI Certified Shariah Advisor and Auditor (CSAA), alongside certifications from the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF), a Diploma in International Trade from IBA Centre for Executive Education, and certification as a director under the SECP Code of Corporate Governance.

Committed to advancing the Islamic finance industry, Mufti Rajper contributes through specialised training, e-learning programme development, and peer-reviewed publications. His interests also extend to ESG and Islamic finance integration, digital transformation, and the application of AI-powered research tools in Islamic financial services.

Syed Umair Alam Zaidi is the Head of Debt Capital Markets & Syndications at Faysal Bank Limited. He brings over 17 years of diversified experience in investment banking, with expertise in financial due diligence, credit risk management, valuation and financial modelling, legal documentation, deal structuring, relationship management, and team leadership. Over the course of his career, he has worked on numerous financial advisory, capital market, mergers and acquisitions, structured finance, corporate finance, and debt restructuring transactions for major corporate clients across various sectors. Umair has well-established expertise in investment banking, corporate finance, Islamic banking, advisory, and credit risk, and is highly regarded among his peers for his results-oriented approach and professionalism. He played a key role in Faysal Bank’s successful transformation from a conventional bank into one of Pakistan’s leading Islamic banks. Prior to joining Faysal Bank, he began his career at MCB Bank Limited, where he progressed from an Analyst to supervisory roles. Umair holds an MBA from Karachi University Business School, is a Junior Associate of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan (JAIBP), and a CFA Charterholder from the CFA Institute, USA

Tariq is a Fellow Member of the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants of Pakistan. He also holds a Chartered Islamic Finance Professional degree from INCEIF, Malaysia and an MS in Islamic Banking and Finance from International Islamic University, Islamabad (IIUI). He is currently perusing his PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance from IIUI.

Tariq has extensive experience of more than 24 years in the field of capital market. He is currently serving as Head of Islamic Finance Department and Registrar Modaraba at SECP. Previously he has served in various departments in the SECP including the International Relations Department, Chairman’s Secretariat and Policy, Regulations and Development Department of the Securities Market Division. Before joining SECP in 2007, he worked with a leading stock brokerage house of the Islamabad Stock Exchange for a period of more than nine years.

He has attended several national and international trainings, conferences and seminars on capital markets besides delivering lectures and presentations for different audiences throughout Pakistan.

Dr. Zahid ur Rehman is serving as Director, Islamic Finance Policy Department at State Bank of Pakistan since November 2024. Previously he has served as Acting Secretary General as well as Assistant Secretary General (Technical and Research) at the international standard setting body Islamic Financial Services Board (IFSB) in Malaysia and expert advisor on Islamic finance at the Central Bank of Oman. He is an accomplished Islamic finance expert, with a career spanning more than 26 years in financial sector regulation and supervision, standard setting and advisory in Islamic finance industry. He has a cross-sectoral and multi-disciplinary expertise to build and implement strategy, lead and successfully manage teams and a diverse portfolio of projects spanning prudential standards, research, training programmes, publications, data repositories as well as conferences and seminars. Dr. Zahid is a member of AAOIFI Governance and Ethics Board since 2020 and has contributed as the member of working groups and committees of several global bodies, including Basel Committee’s Consultative Group (BCG), IMF, IFSB, International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS), International Accounting Standards Board (IASB) and others. He has completed ‘Leadership for Senior Executives’ program at Harvard Business School as well as other management courses from Georgetown University, Cambridge University, MIT Sloan School of Management, ICLIF Leadership and Governance Centre and others. Dr. Zahid is a PhD in Islamic Banking and Finance at International Islamic University, Malaysia. He has also acquired Chartered Islamic Finance Professional qualification from INCEIF, Malaysia. He holds master’s degrees in Business Administration, Computer Science as well as Statistics. He also holds PGD in Islamic banking and insurance from IIBI, London and has published scholarly articles in academic journals and edited volumes.

Zaid Naveed is an accomplished leader with 15 years of experience in banking, business strategy and business development across Canada, Pakistan and Bahrain. At Habib Bank AG Zurich, Zaid is driving the expansion of Islamic banking in five key markets: Switzerland, the UK, South Africa, the UAE and Pakistan. Previously, he led the launch of Trellis, an Islamic FinTech in Pakistan, enabling digital home financing for first-time buyers. Additionally, as a consultant and early investor in Keela, a Canadian startup, he contributed to its market success and eventual acquisition by a major software provider. Zaid Naveed is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds an MSc in Finance from DePaul University (USA) and a BCom from McGill University (Canada). He has also attained certifications in Islamic Finance, further enhancing his expertise in Shariah-compliant banking and finance.

Ali Ozyon is a marketing and technology executive focused on building brands and experiences designed to better serve Muslim communities.

As Chief Marketing Officer of Hejaz Group, Ali plays a key role in shaping the Group’s brand, marketing and global growth strategy across its financial services and technology businesses. His work also extends to Halal Money, Hejaz’s investment app designed to provide simpler access to Sharia-compliant investment opportunities.

Ali is also the Creator of Wahda, a global Muslim app being developed as a digital home for Muslims. He plays a central role in shaping Wahda’s vision, brand and global positioning, with a focus on creating an experience that reflects the needs and values of Muslims today.

Across his work, Ali brings together brand, technology and culture to help shape the next generation of Muslim-focused products and experiences.

Azeem Pirani is COO and Executive Director at EFU Life Assurance. Prior to this, he was the CEO at Pak-Qatar Family Takaful. Azeem is a Founding Trustee at Ihsaas Trust, a provider of microfinance, dedicated to developing sustainable livelihoods for the economically challenged, and providing social support. Azeem holds a Postgraduate Diploma in Islamic Banking & Finance from the Centre of Islamic Economics in Pakistan, an MBA in International Business from the University of New Brunswick in Canada, and a BBA in Finance from the University of Houston in the US. He is also a Certified Director, under the SECP’s Listed Companies Regulations, from the Institute of Cost and Management Accountants.

With over 23 years of professional experience, Faisal Islam is a recognized leader in digital finance, product innovation, and financial inclusion. Faisal’s work focuses on closing the financing gap for MSMEs through a range of Shariah-compliant digital products, including Islamic consumer financing, Islamic BNPL, invoice financing, agricultural finance, and Islamic card solutions. He has also pioneered the design of AI-driven, Shariah-compliant alternative credit scoring models, aimed at expanding financial access to underserved segments. In addition, he has successfully established regulatory-aligned Islamic financing operations in emerging markets. His expertise spans the full spectrum of product development from Shariah structuring and partner bank enablement to building embedded finance ecosystems, always ensuring alignment with Islamic ethical standards. His initiatives have been instrumental in advancing cashless economies and promoting financial inclusion through innovative loyalty programs, digital onboarding solutions, and incentive-based payment ecosystems. Beyond Islamic finance, Faisal brings a strong background in technology leadership, with extensive experience across banking, fintech, retail, and asset management sectors.

Dr Irum Saba is a prominent figure in Islamic finance with over 21 years of experience in regulation, research, teaching and training. She currently serves as the Director of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) in Karachi, and as an Associate Professor in the Department of Finance at IBA. She is also the Chairperson of the Islamic Capital Market Committee of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan as of July 2024.

Dr Irum has made history as the first female to join a Shariah board in Pakistan, serving on the board of Salam Takaful since January 2022. Internationally recognized for her leadership, she has conducted training programs in Pakistan, Malaysia, the US, Saudi Arabia, Turkiye and the UK. She holds the Chartered Islamic Finance Professional qualification with distinction and a PhD in Islamic Finance from INCEIF. In addition to her academic and regulatory roles, Dr Saba is a sub-editor of the Journal of Islamic Finance Accountancy published by AAOIFI, Bahrain and an active member of the FPCCI Standing Committee on Islamic Economics and Finance.

Muhammad Faisal Shaikh is the Head, Shariah Compliance & Advisory at Faysal Bank. Faysal Bank recently completed the conversion of its entire conventional banking business into a full-fledged Islamic bank. Islamic International Rating Agency (IIRA) recognized this conversion as a ‘first of its scale’ in the domain of Islamic banking, globally. As Head of Islamic Banking at Faysal Bank, he played a key role in the conversion process and ensured smooth conversion of the bank’s business. A graduate of the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi, he has over 24 years of experience in the field of Shariah structuring, compliance and product development. Prior to joining Faysal Bank, he was associated with BankIslami Pakistan and Meezan Bank as part of founding teams. He has been instrumental in the development of various pioneering Islamic corporate & consumer banking products and Sukuk structures in Pakistan including the Islamic Export Refinance Scheme of the State Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan’s inaugural sovereign International Sukuk. He led the team which converted conventional assets and liabilities of KASB Bank after its acquisition by BankIslami Pakistan. Prior to this, his team structured the acquisition and conversion of Citibank Pakistan’s conventional housing finance portfolio by BankIslami Pakistan. He was part of Meezan Bank’s founding team and was an active member of the team responsible for the conversion and merger of the Pakistan operations of Societe Generale into Meezan Bank. He also played an important role in the development of pioneering commercial banking products under Islamic modes of finance. Given his experience in the conversion process, SBP has nominated him as a member of multiple working groups of the Committee for Transformation of Conventional Banking into Islamic.

Muhammad Shoaib Ibrahim is the CEO of First Habib Modaraba, a 30 year old entity that has successfully maintained its leading position within Modaraba sector of Pakistan. Under his leadership FHM has positioned itself in the Islamic financial market with a strong equity base, sound assets size and profitability. FHM holds a strong credit rating scale of AA+ in long term and A1+ in short term. Moreover, FHM has secured several awards/accolades from reputable bodies such as NBFI and Modaraba Association, ICAP and ICMAP, Management Association of Pakistan, and SAFA an apex body of SAARC during his tenor as CEO of FHM. With more than two decades’ experience in non-bank Islamic financial institutions and Modarabas, he is a senior expert on this topic in Pakistan. This experience has given him insight into the financial and technical aspects of the non-banking Islamic financial activities covering financial services, equity market and asset management. Mr. Shoaib holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in banking and finance from the Institute of Business Administration (IBA). He has also completed a Post Graduate Diploma (PGD) in Islamic Banking from the Centre of Islamic Economics (Darul Ulum), Karachi Pakistan.

Muhammad Zeeshan Farrukh has rich combination of qualification i.e. commerce, business administration, Islamic Finance & Islamic Studies and diversified experience of more than 18 years in the field of Islamic Banking & Finance with respect to Product Development, Shariah Compliance, Research, Teaching, Training, Advisory etc.

He has served various financial institutions i.e. BankIslami Pakistan Limited, United Bank Limited, Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Limited, National Bank of Pakistan and Bank Makramah Limited. Currently, he is working as Head Shariah Compliance Department & Secretary Shariah Board at Bank Makramah Limited. Besides banking experience, he also holds a position as Director – Research, Learning & Advisory Management at Global Institute of Shariah Research & Advisory Services (GISRAS) and serving as Adjunct Faculty at Institute of Business Management, Karachi

Nadir Rahman has extensive, hands-on experience in capital markets in Pakistan and internationally, stretching over 34 years, of which 18 years have been in C-level positions, including board-level experience with listed, unlisted, and international companies. His core areas of expertise are business development, operations, investment management, M&A, and corporate restructuring. He has advised on numerous capital market transactions, including the largest de-listing in Pakistan’s history.

His last appointment was with the Pakistan Stock Exchange for 3 years as COO. Prior to that, he has served as CEO of BMA Capital Management for 3 years, Group CEO in Mega & Forbes, and CEO at KASB Securities, JS Global Capital, and Mashreq Asset Management. He was the founder and first CEO of Foundation Securities. In addition, he has been associated with Bukhatir Investments, Fauji Foundation, Standard Chartered Bank, ABN AMRO/Rothschild, and Citibank in various junior, middle, and senior management roles. In terms of geography, Nadir has travelled to and done business in over 20 countries.

Academically, Nadir holds dual Bachelor’s degrees from the University of Pennsylvania – The Wharton School and The College of Arts and Sciences.

With extensive experience of 25 years in banking and digital finance, Rukhsana currently serve as Chief Treasury & Alternate Investments at Raqami Islamic Digital Bank –Pakistan’s first fully digital Islamic bank – where she leads the development of innovative Shariah compliant financial solutions and oversees treasury, FX, ALCO and investment functions. She works closely with the CEO and Board to drive strategic decision-making, liquidity management and rating initiatives aligned with digital banking best practices. Previously, she headed the Treasury Division at Sindh Bank, managing a PKR 300+ billion balance sheet and executing FX hedging and liquidity strategies. Her career also includes roles at the Asian Development Bank, where she helped establish the Sindh Fund Management House, and at leading asset management firms like NBP Funds and BMA, where Narejo specialized in fixed income and portfolio management. Her deep expertise in treasury, digital finance, financial markets and regulatory-aligned investment strategy positions her as a leader in modern banking transformation.