NIBAF Pakistan, in collaboration with the Islamic Finance Development Department of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), successfully conducted a two-day Islamic Banking Capacity Building Program in Faisalabad, bringing together Shariah scholars from across the country. Held on November 10–11, 2025, the program aimed to enhance scholars’ understanding of modern Islamic banking principles, compliance frameworks, and the evolving regulatory landscape.
The initiative witnessed active participation from Islamic scholars representing major local Madaris and different schools of thought, reflecting a diverse and inclusive approach to knowledge-sharing in the Islamic finance sector. The program emphasized the importance of harmonizing traditional Shariah perspectives with contemporary banking practices, fostering a collaborative environment where religious scholars and financial experts could exchange insights.
Mufti Muhammad Najeeb Khan led the sessions as the primary trainer, leveraging his expertise in Shariah jurisprudence and Islamic finance to guide participants through practical and theoretical aspects of Islamic banking. Scholars engaged in discussions covering key areas such as Shariah-compliant financial products, risk management, regulatory compliance, ethical banking practices, and the role of Islamic finance in promoting financial inclusion.
The Islamic Finance Development Department – SBP, a key stakeholder in the initiative, highlighted the program’s significance in nurturing a cadre of well-informed Shariah advisors capable of providing guidance on product development, compliance, and risk assessment within the growing Islamic banking sector. Such initiatives are part of the broader strategy by SBP to strengthen governance and Shariah compliance across Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.
Participants praised the program for its structured curriculum and interactive approach, noting that it bridged gaps between conventional banking knowledge and Shariah principles. The sessions also included case studies on real-world banking scenarios, encouraging scholars to critically evaluate and advise on the design and implementation of Shariah-compliant products.
The program comes at a time when Pakistan’s Islamic finance sector is experiencing significant growth, with increasing adoption of Shariah-compliant banking products and services by retail and corporate customers. By equipping Shariah scholars with contemporary knowledge, SBP and NIBAF aim to enhance the credibility, compliance, and sustainability of Islamic finance operations across the country.
This capacity-building initiative also strengthens the collaborative relationship between regulatory authorities, Islamic finance institutions, and religious scholars, fostering a framework where Shariah oversight is robust, standardized, and aligned with international best practices. By promoting continuous learning and professional development, the program ensures that Islamic finance in Pakistan remains competitive, innovative, and ethically grounded.
Looking ahead, SBP and NIBAF plan to replicate similar programs in other regions, further expanding outreach to scholars and financial professionals, ensuring that Islamic banking expertise is widely disseminated and applied consistently across institutions.
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