The Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), convened a high-level consultative workshop earlier this week in Karachi under the theme ‘Unlocking Capital Market Potential for Banks.’ The event aimed to foster greater collaboration between the banking sector and capital markets, broaden financing opportunities, and support the country’s long-term economic growth.
The session was graced by Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb as Chief Guest, signaling the government’s commitment to building stronger linkages between banks and capital markets to ensure a more resilient financial ecosystem. The event also brought together leadership from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), SECP, major capital market institutions, and senior executives from across the banking industry.
Discussions at the workshop centered around the need for diversification in financing channels, creating an environment where banks and capital markets can complement each other to reduce systemic risks, improve liquidity, and provide businesses with greater access to sustainable funding options. Speakers highlighted the importance of building robust mechanisms to integrate capital market solutions with traditional banking frameworks, which can in turn accelerate private sector development and fuel economic activity in Pakistan.
A number of prominent leaders from PBA’s member institutions contributed to the dialogue, offering insights through keynote addresses, technical sessions, and panel discussions. Among the participants were Atif Bajwa, President and CEO of Bank Alfalah Limited, Rehmat Hasnie, President and CEO of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Muhammad Nassir Salim, President and CEO of HBL, and Basir Shamsie, President and CEO of JS Bank. Their perspectives provided valuable direction on how Pakistan’s financial sector can bridge existing gaps and develop a more diversified financial ecosystem.
The lineup also included Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq, Amir Ali, Deputy CEO of Meezan Bank Limited, Adil Haroon, Deputy Head of Treasury and Capital Markets at UBL, Khurram Jamshed, Head of Digital Product and Lending at Bank Alfalah Limited, Saadya Riaz, Head of Wealth and Retail Banking at Standard Chartered Pakistan, and Rukhsana Narejo, CFA, Chief Treasury and Alternate Investments at Raqami Islamic Digital Bank.
Adding further depth to the discussions was Mir Nejib Rahman, Secretary at the PBA, who highlighted the association’s ongoing role in advancing dialogue between policymakers, regulators, and the banking community to unlock new opportunities for capital formation and financial stability.
The event’s significance was further amplified by the presence of well-known industry figures, including Zafar Masud, Yousaf Hussain, Rizwan Ata, Muhammad Atif Hanif, Amir Khan, Kamran Zaidi, Muhammad Nauman Chughtai, Muhammad Jawaid Iqbal, Khurram Shahzad Khan, Irfan Siddiqui, and Muhtashim Ashai, all of whom contributed to the broader conversation around strengthening Pakistan’s financial architecture.
The collaborative initiative underscored the critical need for synergy between capital markets and banking institutions at a time when Pakistan is striving for economic recovery and sustainable development. With banking penetration increasing and capital markets seeking to expand investor participation, the alignment between the two can unlock alternative funding sources, improve capital flows, and contribute to more stable economic growth.
Industry experts believe that such workshops are vital in laying down the roadmap for structural reforms that can deepen Pakistan’s financial markets. By enabling greater innovation, creating new financial products, and enhancing investor confidence, the integration of banking and capital markets can pave the way for more inclusive economic progress.
The PBA-SECP initiative has thus set the stage for actionable strategies that could define the future trajectory of Pakistan’s financial system, ensuring that both banks and capital markets play their role in financing growth, supporting businesses, and driving resilience across the economy.