Allied Bank Limited (PSX: ABL) has positioned itself as a symbol of resilience, digital innovation, and financial stability in Pakistan’s evolving banking landscape, according to an in-depth interview with its Chief Executive Officer, Aizid Razzaq Gill, published in USA Today as part of a 16-page Pakistan Special Report.
Speaking to an international audience, Gill addressed long-standing perception challenges surrounding Pakistan, noting that these views were shaped more by regional geopolitics and the post-9/11 global environment than by current realities on the ground. He said recent government efforts, improving security conditions, and growing tourism were gradually reshaping Pakistan’s global image, as visitors increasingly experience the country as welcoming and rich in opportunity.
Gill also shared his personal and professional journey, describing how his early studies in architecture in Lahore, followed by an MBA in California, laid the foundation for a career spanning more than three decades across corporate banking, risk management, and retail finance. A Chevening scholar with a master’s degree in business economics from the University of Manchester, Gill said his return to Pakistan was motivated by a strong desire to contribute directly to the national economy. He has served as Allied Bank’s CEO for the past five years.
A defining strength of Allied Bank, Gill explained, is its deeply embedded organizational culture. Following the bank’s privatization more than two decades ago, ABL adopted a strong “promote from within” philosophy that continues to shape its leadership structure. All of the CEO’s direct reports have spent between 15 and 20 years at the bank, reflecting institutional continuity, long-term leadership development, and operational stability. Gill noted that future leadership, including the next chief executive, could emerge from the bank’s current management trainee pipeline.
Strategically, Allied Bank is focused on two core pillars: robust risk management and digital transformation. Gill acknowledged that while physical branches remain essential for advancing financial inclusion in remote and underserved areas, ABL’s digital services in urban centres are already operating at, and in some cases ahead of, international benchmarks.
The impact of this strategy is reflected in customer behaviour. Approximately 83 percent of Allied Bank’s transactions are now conducted digitally, signalling a significant shift toward technology-enabled banking. The bank’s digital ecosystem is supported by partnerships with global technology firms including Oracle, IBM, and Temenos. ABL was the first bank in Pakistan to implement the Temenos core banking system in 2006 and continues to invest in system upgrades to enhance performance and scalability.
Gill revealed that Allied Bank is actively exploring emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence, large language models, and even experimental Metaverse-based banking environments. These initiatives, he said, are aimed at preparing the bank for the future of customer engagement and operational efficiency.
A cornerstone of ABL’s risk framework is its proprietary Risk Assessment and Management System (RAMS), developed more than 15 years ago. The system digitized credit approval processes and now manages the bank’s entire loan portfolio. According to Gill, RAMS has played a critical role in maintaining Allied Bank’s non-performing loan ratio at just 1.2 percent, significantly lower than the industry average of 8 percent or more.
Strong financial fundamentals further underpin Allied Bank’s performance. The bank maintains one of the highest capital adequacy ratios in the sector, holds a AAA local credit rating, and has earned top corporate governance ratings among Pakistani banks. These strengths have translated into repeated international recognition, including Bank of the Year awards from The Banker and the Financial Times for three consecutive years, as well as Best Digital Bank in Pakistan by Euromoney.
Beyond banking operations, Gill made a case for increased foreign investment in Pakistan, highlighting untapped potential in agriculture, tourism, and mineral development. He stressed that Pakistan’s banking system is well-regulated and capable of supporting long-term investment, even amid macroeconomic challenges.
“This is the right time to look at Pakistan,” Gill said, concluding with a message to global investors. “The country is rich in opportunity and eager for partnerships. Allied Bank stands ready to support investment, drive inclusion, and power Pakistan’s digital and economic transformation.”
The publication of the interview in USA Today marks a rare moment of global visibility for Pakistan’s financial sector, positioning Allied Bank not only as a leading domestic institution but also as a credible representative of Pakistan’s economic future on the international stage.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.