At the Pakistan Banking Summit 2025, held under the auspices of the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), industry leaders, policymakers, and financial institutions convened to address the evolving landscape of the banking sector. A key highlight of the event was a compelling address by Atif Bajwa, Chairman of the PBS Steering Committee and President & CEO of Bank Alfalah, who called for a fundamental shift in how the banking sector is perceived in the country.
In his remarks, Bajwa acknowledged the banking industry’s ongoing efforts toward transparency, regulatory compliance, and responsible banking practices. However, he noted that despite these strides, the sector continues to be burdened by negative public perception. He urged the need to counter misleading narratives that undermine trust and distort the crucial role of banks in national development.
“The banking industry has demonstrated time and again its commitment to transparency, governance, and economic support,” Bajwa stated. “Yet we find ourselves battling narratives that fail to recognize this progress. It’s time we recalibrate the public conversation to reflect the truth and the value that banks bring to Pakistan’s economic fabric.”
Bajwa emphasized the need for a collaborative framework between public institutions and private banks, advocating for a relationship built on mutual respect and equal partnership. He suggested that the future of Pakistan’s financial and economic stability depends on how well these two sectors align their objectives and share responsibilities for national growth.
This year’s summit brought together an impressive lineup of banking executives and industry veterans, including Zafar Masud (President, Bank of Punjab), Yousaf Hussain (CEO, Faysal Bank), Ahmed Bozai (CEO, Standard Chartered Pakistan), Rehmat Hasnie (President, National Bank of Pakistan), and Basir Shamsie (CEO, JS Bank), among others. These leaders represented institutions across the spectrum, from traditional commercial banks to digital and Islamic banking entities.
Participating banks included major names such as HBL, United Bank Limited (UBL), Meezan Bank, MCB Bank Limited, Bank AL Habib, Allied Bank, Askari Bank, Standard Chartered, Faysal Bank, and Soneri Bank. The summit also featured emerging players and specialized institutions like Silkbank, Mashreq, MCB Islamic Bank, BankIslami, ICBC Pakistan, Easypaisa Digital Bank, Mobilink Bank, First Women Bank, and Habib Metropolitan Bank.
The summit addressed critical issues affecting the banking ecosystem, including financial inclusion, the rise of fintech, regulatory compliance, and the sector’s role in national development initiatives. There was strong emphasis on how digital transformation, ESG (environmental, social, governance) practices, and customer-centric innovations are shaping the future of modern banking in Pakistan.
Beyond narrative challenges, the summit also served as a platform to foster dialogue on long-term collaboration between regulators and financial institutions. Speakers echoed the sentiment that only through trust, transparency, and proactive engagement can Pakistan’s banking sector fully deliver on its developmental promise.
The hashtags #PakistanBanksAssociation, #PakistanBankingSummit, #BankAlfalah, and #AtifBajwa trended during the event, reflecting widespread interest and engagement from industry stakeholders, regulators, media, and the wider business community.
As Pakistan navigates complex economic terrain, the insights shared at the Pakistan Banking Summit 2025 reinforce the critical role of the banking sector not just as a financial intermediary but as a strategic partner in national progress. With leadership voices like Atif Bajwa calling for a shift in perception and policy alignment, the summit marked a strong step toward reshaping the banking narrative and deepening public-private cooperation for a resilient economic future.