The National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) Pakistan concluded its five-day Islamic Banking Professional Development Program (IBPD-20) from July 21 to 25, 2025, at its Lahore campus. The specialized training was attended by officers from various commercial banks across Pakistan and focused on strengthening their understanding of Islamic financial principles, operational frameworks, and the evolving landscape of Shariah-compliant banking in the country.
The program served as an important platform for knowledge exchange between practicing professionals and seasoned scholars in the Islamic banking domain. With Pakistan continuing to see rising demand for Islamic financial services, initiatives like IBPD-20 are pivotal for nurturing a well-informed and Shariah-compliant banking workforce equipped to meet both customer needs and regulatory standards.
Participants engaged in an in-depth curriculum designed to clarify foundational concepts of Islamic finance, such as Riba (interest) prohibition, risk-sharing contracts, Islamic modes of financing, and Shariah governance mechanisms. The training also included discussion of contemporary Islamic banking products, operational best practices, and how digital transformation is being approached within a Shariah-compliant framework.
The sessions were delivered by an esteemed panel of trainers, each bringing a unique perspective from their academic and professional experiences. Mufti Tayyab Amin, Chairman of the Shariah Board at Allied Bank Limited, provided insights into jurisprudential foundations and regulatory compliance in Islamic finance. Mr. Imran Yousaf, Head of Business Transformation at Faysal Bank Limited, offered a strategic view on the digital transition of conventional banks into fully-fledged Islamic institutions.
Mufti Awais Masood, Resident Shariah Board Member at Allied Bank Limited, addressed product structuring and real-world operational challenges, while Dr. Mufti Uzair Ashraf Usmani, Shariah Board Member at Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), contributed to discussions on rural and agricultural Islamic finance models, further broadening the scope of the training.
The diversity of expertise and practical orientation of the sessions encouraged a high level of interaction and critical thinking among the participants. Attendees appreciated the blend of jurisprudential clarity and real-time banking scenarios, noting how the training helped bridge the gap between theoretical understanding and implementation challenges.
The Islamic Banking Professional Development Program is part of NIBAF’s broader efforts to support the State Bank of Pakistan’s strategic vision for expanding the footprint of Islamic finance in the country. As Islamic banking continues to grow in market share and customer demand, the focus on capacity building remains essential for sustainable sectoral development.
By hosting IBPD-20, NIBAF reaffirmed its role as a leading knowledge hub committed to advancing the Islamic banking ecosystem. The successful conclusion of the program further underscores the need for ongoing professional development, especially as financial institutions seek to balance innovation with compliance in an increasingly competitive and regulated environment.