Askari Bank Limited has announced a key leadership appointment that signals its reinforcement of digital transformation and payments modernization efforts. Khurram Ishtiaq has joined the institution as SVP – Head Mobile App and Digital Payments Ecosystem, a role positioned at the core of the bank’s strategy to advance customer-centric digital banking, enhance mobile-first experiences, and expand the payments landscape through integrated digital platforms. This appointment reflects Askari Bank’s commitment to accelerating its innovation trajectory at a time when Pakistan’s digital finance ecosystem is undergoing rapid evolution.
With more than 12 years of cross-functional experience spanning banking and fintech domains, Khurram brings a profile shaped by deep operational understanding, executional expertise, and a strong command of digital product development. His previous leadership tenure at easypaisa Digital Bank stands out as a defining period in which he contributed significantly to the modernization of digital payments infrastructure. He played a central role in launching VISA and UnionPay debit cards, expanding QR acceptance rails, enabling mini apps, and implementing cross-border QR integrations with Alipay. These initiatives not only facilitated smoother digital transactions but also contributed to broadening financial inclusion and increasing nationwide adoption of digital payments.
Khurram’s earlier roles at MCB Islamic Bank Ltd., Allied Bank Limited, and MCB Bank Limited laid the foundation for his strategic understanding of customer engagement, digital banking design, loyalty ecosystems, e-commerce payment solutions, and product lifecycle management. Throughout his career, he has been associated with developing frameworks that elevate user experience, streamline digital onboarding processes, and introduce scalable payment products aligned with emerging consumer habits.
At Askari Bank, his new assignment merges mobile app leadership with digital payments oversight—two operational pillars essential for building a cohesive, future-ready digital ecosystem. The bank’s focus on next-generation digital banking requires strong architectural planning, continuous innovation cycles, improved security layers, and seamless interoperability across payments channels. Khurram is expected to play an instrumental role in strengthening these capabilities, ensuring that Askari Bank maintains competitive agility while meeting rising expectations from digital-first customers.
His mandate includes optimizing the bank’s mobile application to enhance functionality, accessibility, and user experience, while simultaneously expanding the payments ecosystem through enhanced digital rails, QR enablement, card issuance innovations, and integrations with regional and international networks. As Pakistan’s digital payments sector grows increasingly interconnected, such leadership contributes directly to shaping a more resilient and inclusive financial system.
Askari Bank’s decision to onboard a specialist with multifaceted experience reflects the institution’s recognition that digital banking success hinges on the combination of strong product vision and strong technical execution. The bank aims to position its mobile app and payments infrastructure as primary touchpoints for individual and corporate users alike, enabling greater operational efficiency and frictionless financial interactions.
Khurram’s appointment underscores his continued commitment to advancing digital finance in Pakistan. His work over the past decade has contributed to building accessible, innovative, and stable financial products that have expanded the usage of digital payments nationwide. At Askari Bank, his role will influence the next phase of digital banking improvements, enhance customer satisfaction, and further strengthen Pakistan’s digital payments environment.
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