Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) President Imran Sarwar discussed the banking sector’s role in supporting Pakistan’s financial and economic priorities during a meeting at the bank’s head office in Karachi. The discussion covered NBP’s initiatives in women’s financial inclusion, digital transformation and support for small and medium-sized enterprises, along with broader matters concerning the banking and financial sector. NBP Chairman Naved A. Khan was also present during the meeting.
The finance minister visited NBP’s head office where he congratulated Imran Sarwar on his appointment as the bank’s president and chief executive officer and conveyed his wishes for success in the new position. The meeting provided an opportunity to review the bank’s ongoing activities and discuss areas where banking services can contribute to wider financial and economic objectives. The discussion also covered matters concerning NBP’s operations as well as broader developments and challenges facing Pakistan’s financial sector.
During the meeting, Imran Sarwar briefed the finance minister on NBP’s initiatives and performance, with particular attention to efforts aimed at increasing women’s participation in economic activities. Women’s financial inclusion was discussed as one of the areas where the bank is working to expand access to financial services. The briefing also covered NBP’s efforts to accelerate its digital transformation, reflecting the increasing role of technology in the delivery of banking services and customer-facing financial products.
Support for small and medium-sized enterprises was another area highlighted by the NBP president. SMEs form an important segment of the business and economic landscape, and the bank’s initiatives in this area were included in the briefing to the finance minister. The discussion covered NBP’s role in supporting SMEs through banking and financial services as part of its broader engagement with businesses and the wider economy.
Imran Sarwar also updated the finance minister on measures being taken to improve customer services and facilities at NBP. The focus on customer service forms part of the bank’s wider efforts to improve the experience and accessibility of its banking services. Alongside digital transformation, improvements in customer facilities can support the delivery of banking products to individuals, businesses and other customers through both traditional and digital channels.
The meeting also addressed broader issues affecting the financial sector, placing NBP’s activities within the wider economic priorities of the country. The discussion between the finance minister and the NBP leadership covered the relationship between banking services and economic activity, including financial inclusion, business financing, digital banking development and customer services. These areas remain relevant to the banking sector as financial institutions continue to expand their role in supporting individuals and businesses.
The meeting followed the federal government’s appointment of Imran Sarwar as NBP president and chief executive officer for a three-year term. He was appointed with immediate effect under a Finance Division notification dated September 3, 2026. His meeting with the finance minister comes shortly after taking charge of the position and included a briefing on the bank’s current initiatives and areas of focus.
With NBP’s leadership highlighting women’s economic participation, digital transformation, SME support and customer service improvements, the discussions provided an overview of the bank’s current priorities. The presence of Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb and NBP Chairman Naved A. Khan also brought together senior government and bank leadership to discuss the institution’s contribution to the broader financial system.
The engagement reflects the continued interaction between the government and banking institutions on financial-sector priorities. For NBP, the areas discussed include expanding financial inclusion, advancing digital capabilities, supporting SMEs and improving customer facilities, while the broader discussion addressed the banking sector’s role in supporting Pakistan’s financial and economic priorities.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.