The Institute of Business Administration Karachi celebrated a decade of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance, marking the milestone with a high-level panel discussion that brought together leading voices from the Islamic finance sector. Among the distinguished participants was Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik, Chief Executive Officer of NIBAF Pakistan, who contributed key insights on the direction of global Islamic finance, capacity enhancement, and the evolving role of institutions in building stronger financial ecosystems.
The event commemorated IBA CEIF’s ten-year journey as an academic and industry-focused platform dedicated to advancing Islamic finance education, research, and talent development. Over the past decade, CEIF has established itself as a central hub for policy dialogue, executive training, and collaboration between academia and industry. The anniversary celebration provided an opportunity to evaluate the progress made so far and explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the next phase of growth.
Ms. Malik participated in a panel titled “Future Trends in Global Islamic Finance & Role of IBA CEIF,” which sought to unpack the changing dynamics of the Islamic finance market worldwide. She highlighted how global demand for Shariah-compliant financial services continues to expand, driven by demographic shifts, increasing investor interest in ethical financing models, and the growing maturity of Islamic banking systems. She noted that as markets evolve, organizations involved in talent development must align their programs with emerging needs across digital transformation, risk management frameworks, green finance, and cross-border financial operations.
Reflecting on NIBAF Pakistan’s role within this landscape, Ms. Malik emphasized the institution’s commitment to enhancing capacity within the Islamic finance workforce. She noted that NIBAF continues to develop specialized professional development initiatives designed around market needs, with an emphasis on building competencies that help financial institutions adopt modern structures while adhering to Shariah principles. She added that collaboration between educational institutions and industry stakeholders remains essential for shaping a workforce capable of supporting sustainable sectoral expansion.
The event also featured the participation of senior representatives from top financial entities. Chief Guest Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, addressed attendees and commended IBA CEIF for its contributions to knowledge enrichment and sectoral development. His remarks highlighted the importance of strong educational partnerships in fortifying Pakistan’s Islamic finance ecosystem, an area where the country continues to hold regional significance due to its expanding Islamic banking footprint.
Experts from various leading banks and financial organizations attended the celebration, creating an environment for productive dialogue and knowledge sharing. Discussions during the event covered structural trends, regulatory expectations, capacity-building requirements, and shifts in global financial technologies that are influencing Islamic finance frameworks.
NIBAF Pakistan extended congratulations to IBA CEIF on its decade of achievements and reiterated its dedication to supporting knowledge-driven advancements in Islamic finance. The institution affirmed that ongoing collaboration, research, and strategic initiatives will remain central to strengthening Pakistan’s competitive position in the global Islamic finance domain.
As the Islamic finance sector continues to transition into a more technology-driven and globally interconnected marketplace, the contributions of institutions such as NIBAF and IBA CEIF are expected to play an increasingly pivotal role. Their efforts to connect academic learning with applied industry knowledge are anticipated to support Pakistan’s financial institutions in meeting international standards and responding effectively to emerging global trends.
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