In a significant move aimed at fortifying Pakistan’s financial sector through collaborative education and training, the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan and the Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi have opened a strategic dialogue to explore areas of mutual cooperation. The high-level meeting was held between Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik, Co-Chief Executive Officer of NIBAF, and Dr. Syed Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director of IBA, with the shared objective of shaping a more resilient, knowledge-driven financial ecosystem in the country.
The conversation centered on developing structured partnerships that can merge the strengths of academia with the practical needs of the financial services industry. Both institutions acknowledged that the current pace of change in the financial sector—driven by digital innovation, regulatory shifts, and evolving customer expectations—requires a new model of cooperation between educational and professional training bodies.
The proposed collaboration will focus on several key pillars: designing and delivering joint training programs, fostering leadership development through tailored executive education, and conducting research that supports innovation and policy reform in banking and finance. These efforts aim to provide professionals and future leaders with the critical skills and insights required in a rapidly transforming financial landscape.
For NIBAF, which operates under the umbrella of the State Bank of Pakistan, this partnership aligns with its mission to build institutional capacity and promote financial literacy at all levels. Over the past few years, NIBAF has evolved into a central platform for sector-wide training, offering both in-person and digital programs on Islamic banking, risk management, regulatory compliance, and emerging fintech trends.
IBA Karachi, with its longstanding reputation as a premier institution in business and economics, brings a robust academic foundation, a legacy of thought leadership, and a dynamic pool of faculty and alumni engaged across sectors. Dr. Zaidi emphasized the importance of linking theory with real-world applications and expressed a strong commitment to co-develop initiatives that bridge the gap between classroom learning and sectoral execution.
Ms. Lubna Farooq Malik echoed the need for multidimensional training programs that move beyond technical learning to encompass strategic thinking, ethical decision-making, and digital readiness. She noted that this collaboration could lead to scalable solutions for institutional challenges and set new benchmarks for public-private academic alliances.
Both leaders agreed on the urgency of cultivating leadership in banking and finance that can adapt to uncertainty, anticipate regulatory trends, and drive inclusive economic growth. The partnership also has potential to explore regional and international collaborations, leveraging both institutions’ networks for broader impact.
This engagement reflects a growing recognition that meaningful transformation in Pakistan’s financial sector will come not just from innovation in products and services, but from investment in human capital. As the dialogue progresses, the IBA-NIBAF partnership is expected to deliver a series of high-impact programs and strategic interventions that empower professionals and institutions alike.