The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) continued its advanced Islamic banking training initiative on June 18, 2025, with Day 3 of the Islamic Banking Professional Development Program (IBPD-19) at its Lahore campus. This multi-day training event, running from June 16 to 20, 2025, brings together financial professionals to develop a deeper understanding of Islamic banking systems, guided by leading industry scholars and practitioners.
Day 3’s session was conducted by Mufti Awais Masood, a respected Islamic finance expert and member of the Shariah Board at Allied Bank Limited. Known for his practical experience and jurisprudential depth, Mufti Masood delivered a compelling session centered on the application of Shariah principles in modern banking environments. His talk focused on key operational areas such as Islamic contract structures, compliance mechanisms, and the Shariah screening process for financial products.
Attendees benefited from his insights into how banks operating in Pakistan can effectively integrate Shariah-compliant models without compromising financial efficiency or regulatory alignment. The session included real-world case studies, providing attendees with a practical lens to interpret Islamic finance tools within commercial settings. Special attention was paid to the operationalization of key Islamic contracts like Murabaha, Mudarabah, Ijarah, and Musharakah, with a focus on avoiding elements prohibited under Islamic law such as riba (interest), gharar (excessive uncertainty), and maysir (gambling).
With around 60 professionals enrolled in the IBPD-19 program, the diversity of the participant pool has become one of the strengths of this training initiative. Attendees include banking officers, Shariah compliance professionals, product developers, and financial analysts. The mix of institutional backgrounds has created a dynamic learning environment that fosters dialogue and encourages the cross-pollination of ideas on the future direction of Islamic banking in Pakistan.
NIBAF’s structured approach to professional development in Islamic finance underscores the increasing demand for specialized training as more banks and financial institutions expand their Shariah-compliant offerings. Day 3 of IBPD-19 exemplifies how academic theory and regulatory frameworks can be translated into daily banking operations, a core requirement for institutions seeking to maintain Shariah integrity while scaling operations.
Mufti Awais Masood also emphasized the importance of internal Shariah audit functions and transparent documentation practices as safeguards to uphold compliance. He highlighted the role of dedicated Shariah boards within banks and encouraged institutions to invest in the continuous training of their staff to ensure sustainable Islamic finance operations.
With two more days remaining in the training series, IBPD-19 continues to shape the competencies of current and future Islamic finance professionals. The program reflects NIBAF’s strategic alignment with national financial goals, especially in advancing Shariah-compliant banking across both conventional and digital platforms.
As Pakistan’s financial ecosystem increasingly embraces Islamic banking principles, the significance of sessions like these—delivered by practitioners such as Mufti Awais Masood—continues to grow. The third day’s focus on practical implementation within a regulated environment provided attendees with the tools and clarity needed to navigate the evolving landscape of Islamic banking.