NIBAF Pakistan conducted an interactive learning session on “Formulation of Fintech and Payment Strategy” for officers participating in the State Bank Officers Training Scheme SBOTS-28. The session was held on September 25, 2026, at the NIBAF Pakistan Islamabad Campus as part of the training program for officers preparing for roles within the central banking and financial sector environment.
The learning activity focused on the development of knowledge around fintech, digital payments and payment strategy. Officer trainees were engaged in practical discussions covering digital payment frameworks, emerging fintech business models, regulatory sandboxes and the formulation of national payment strategies. The session was structured to provide participants with an understanding of how developments in financial technology can be considered within broader payment system planning.
Gulzar Khan, Senior Joint Director at the State Bank of Pakistan’s Payment Systems Policy and Operations Department, was among the facilitators of the session. Sardar Shah and Javed Iqbal also facilitated the learning activity. Their participation brought perspectives from the payment systems and financial technology environment into the training of SBOTS-28 officers.
A key part of the session involved evaluating digital payment frameworks and examining how payment systems are evolving alongside new financial technology business models. The trainees were introduced to issues that financial institutions and regulators need to consider when assessing emerging digital financial services, including the regulatory environment surrounding fintech activities and sandbox-based approaches for testing new solutions.
The discussion also covered national payment strategy formulation and its relationship with financial inclusion. Digital payment infrastructure can influence how individuals and businesses access formal financial services, making payment strategy an important component of broader financial-sector development. For officers preparing for central banking responsibilities, understanding these areas can provide a foundation for evaluating policy and regulatory considerations associated with digital finance.
The State Bank Officers Training Scheme is designed to prepare officers for professional responsibilities within the central banking environment. As financial services increasingly incorporate digital channels, fintech business models and electronic payment systems, training in these areas forms part of the broader knowledge required by professionals working across the financial sector.
NIBAF Pakistan said the learning activity reflects its focus on developing the capabilities of officers through practical and specialized training. By addressing fintech developments, payment frameworks, regulatory sandboxes and national payment strategy, the session provided SBOTS-28 trainees with exposure to issues relevant to Pakistan’s evolving digital financial ecosystem.
The session was held at the NIBAF Pakistan Islamabad Campus on September 25, 2026. Through the participation of State Bank of Pakistan officials and other facilitators, the learning activity provided SBOTS-28 officers with practical exposure to fintech and payment strategy considerations that are relevant to the future development and regulation of digital financial services in Pakistan.
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