National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan successfully organized a two-day focused capacity building program for Shariah scholars at its Lahore campus from September 29 to 30, 2025. The initiative aimed to enhance scholars’ professional expertise and deepen their understanding of modern Shariah-compliant financial practices within the country’s evolving Islamic finance landscape.
The training program brought together around 50 scholars from various madaris, highlighting the growing emphasis on integrating traditional Islamic scholarship with modern banking and finance frameworks. This initiative reflects NIBAF’s ongoing commitment to bridging the knowledge gap between Shariah principles and the operational dynamics of Islamic financial institutions.
The first day of the training was led by Mufti Syed Sabir Hussain, Shariah Board Member at MCB Islamic Bank. He shared in-depth insights on the application of Shariah principles in financial products, focusing on practical issues faced by Islamic banks in product development, compliance, and governance. His session emphasized the importance of aligning financial innovation with religious authenticity and ethical business practices.
On the second day, Mufti Muhammad Ammar Ashraf, Shariah Board Member at Buraq Digital Bank, conducted the training. His session covered the evolving role of Shariah scholars in digital banking environments and how technology is reshaping Islamic financial services. He highlighted the significance of scholars’ involvement in ensuring that fintech innovations remain fully compliant with Islamic legal and ethical frameworks.
The training program was managed by Mr. Irfan Ahmed and Mr. Manzoor Ahmed, who facilitated interactive learning sessions and ensured a structured learning environment for all participants. The program offered both theoretical and practical perspectives, enabling scholars to develop a well-rounded understanding of Shariah-compliant finance in the context of modern banking operations.
A key component of the program was equipping scholars with the tools and knowledge needed to play a more active role in financial product oversight, risk assessment, and compliance monitoring. As Islamic finance continues to expand in Pakistan, the role of Shariah scholars has become increasingly important in maintaining the credibility and authenticity of financial products offered by banks and fintechs.
This capacity building initiative is part of NIBAF’s broader efforts to support the development of a robust Islamic finance ecosystem in Pakistan. By providing specialized training for scholars, the institute aims to strengthen the intellectual and practical foundation of Shariah governance within the financial sector.
Participants appreciated the program’s structured approach and its focus on real-world financial challenges faced by Islamic institutions. They emphasized that such programs enable scholars to contribute more effectively to the strategic direction and ethical oversight of the Islamic finance industry.
The two-day training not only enhanced participants’ technical understanding but also fostered dialogue between scholars and financial practitioners, encouraging collaborative efforts for a more transparent and resilient Islamic financial system in Pakistan.
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