Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank, has been invited by Bank Negara Malaysia (BNM), the Central Bank of Malaysia, to share its expertise on risk-sharing finance under a focused international knowledge-sharing initiative, reflecting the bank’s growing recognition as a benchmark institution in Islamic finance.
According to a press release, Meezan Bank participated as a speaker in BNM’s “Incubation Programme on Risk-Sharing,” a specialised programme designed for Islamic banking practitioners in Malaysia. The initiative aims to support the development and adoption of risk-sharing and non-debt-based financial solutions within Malaysia’s Islamic banking sector, drawing on practical experiences from established markets.
Meezan Bank was represented by Shayan Ahmed Baig, Head of Shariah Compliance, who led in-depth sessions based on the bank’s extensive experience in structuring, implementing, and governing Shariah-compliant risk-sharing products in Pakistan. The discussions focused on translating theoretical risk-sharing principles into commercially viable banking solutions, with emphasis on regulatory alignment, operational execution, and Shariah governance frameworks.
During the programme, Meezan Bank shared insights into alternative product structures that align with the core objectives of risk-sharing while remaining compliant with local regulatory and supervisory requirements. The sessions also explored challenges faced by Islamic banks in shifting away from debt-based instruments and highlighted practical approaches to developing sustainable, participatory financing models.
As part of the visit, Mr. Baig also met with senior officials of Bank Negara Malaysia and presented Meezan Bank’s recently launched official history book, “Unconventional: The Bank No One Saw Coming,” to the Assistant Governor of BNM. The book documents Meezan Bank’s journey and its role in the evolution and mainstreaming of Islamic banking in Pakistan, offering valuable context on how risk-sharing principles can be embedded within a modern banking framework.
Meezan Bank’s participation in the programme underscores the increasing international interest in Pakistan’s Islamic banking experience, particularly in areas related to Shariah-compliant innovation and governance. Being invited by a foreign central bank highlights the bank’s standing as a thought leader in Islamic finance and reflects the maturity and credibility of Pakistan’s Islamic banking sector.
The engagement also signals deeper cross-border collaboration between Islamic finance jurisdictions, as regulators and practitioners seek to strengthen risk-sharing models that support financial stability, ethical finance, and long-term economic growth.
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