NIBAF Pakistan organised an excursion and team building outing to Mushkpuri Top for officers participating in the 1st Cyber Risk Officers Scheme (CROS-1), providing the participants with an opportunity to take part in an outdoor activity away from their regular technical and analytical training environment. The excursion was held on August 29, 2026, and included a day hike through the lush green trails of Mushkpuri Top. The activity formed part of the specialised training environment designed for officers preparing for responsibilities related to cyber risk and risk management in Pakistan’s banking sector.
The CROS-1 officers participated in the hike as an opportunity to engage in physical activity while spending time with their fellow trainees in an outdoor setting. The excursion was structured as both a recreational activity and a team building outing, allowing participants to interact beyond the formal training environment. The Mushkpuri Top trails provided the setting for the officers to take part in the day’s activities while experiencing an environment different from the classroom and technical sessions associated with their specialised programme.
NIBAF Pakistan highlighted the importance of outdoor activities in supporting qualities that are relevant to professional risk management roles. While technical knowledge and analytical capabilities remain important components of cyber risk training, professionals in this field also need to work effectively with colleagues and respond to changing situations. Outdoor team activities can provide participants with opportunities to develop mutual trust, active collaboration and mental agility through shared experiences.
The excursion also formed part of NIBAF Pakistan’s broader approach to the development of professionals working in the banking sector. The institution has incorporated physical wellbeing and experiential learning into the specialised training environment for CROS-1 officers. By providing activities outside formal technical sessions, the programme gives participants opportunities to engage in different forms of learning and interaction while continuing their overall professional development.
Mushkpuri Top was selected as the location for the August 29 excursion, with the officers taking part in a day hike through its green trails. The outdoor setting allowed the participants to spend time together in a less formal environment and take part in a shared physical activity. The team building component of the outing was intended to strengthen interaction among the officers while encouraging cooperation and engagement during the excursion.
For professionals involved in cyber risk and financial sector risk management, collaboration can be an important part of responding to complex situations. Risk management activities can involve coordination between different teams and require professionals to communicate and work together effectively. NIBAF Pakistan’s inclusion of team building activities within CROS-1 provides officers with an opportunity to develop interpersonal capabilities alongside the technical and analytical knowledge covered through the specialised scheme.
The programme also places attention on mental agility, which can be relevant to officers working in cyber risk environments. Cyber and financial risks can change rapidly, requiring professionals to assess circumstances and respond appropriately. Activities outside the traditional training setting can give participants a different environment in which to engage with one another, adapt to situations and strengthen their ability to work as a group.
The August 29 excursion was therefore not limited to recreational activity, but formed part of the wider development environment for CROS-1 officers. NIBAF Pakistan has emphasised that specialised training should address multiple aspects of professional development, including technical capabilities, analytical skills, physical wellbeing and interpersonal interaction. The Mushkpuri Top outing provided a practical setting for participants to engage in experiential learning while taking part in a physically active programme.
The outing also allowed the officers to strengthen their connections with other members of the CROS-1 programme. Spending time together outside formal training sessions can provide participants with opportunities to build familiarity and trust among their peers. Such interactions can support collaborative working relationships that may prove valuable as the officers continue developing their professional capabilities in cyber risk and banking sector risk management.
Through the CROS-1 programme, NIBAF Pakistan is working to develop specialised talent for cyber risk responsibilities within Pakistan’s banking sector. The Mushkpuri Top excursion complemented the programme’s technical and analytical components by introducing physical activity, outdoor learning and team building into the training schedule. The August 29 outing reflected NIBAF Pakistan’s focus on providing a broader development environment for officers participating in specialised banking sector training.
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