KARACHI: The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi, through its Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance (CEIF), in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan’s Islamic Finance Policy Department (SBP-IFPD), successfully hosted the SBP Shariah Advisors Forum 2026. This event brought together leading experts and stakeholders to advance Shariah governance and the future of Islamic finance in Pakistan.
The forum convened Shariah Board Members, Shariah Advisors, and senior professionals from Islamic banks, microfinance banks, development finance institutions, and digital banks across the country. It served as a platform for knowledge sharing, policy dialogue, and collaboration on key developments in the Islamic finance sector.
The keynote address was delivered by Dr. Ishrat Husain, Professor Emeritus, Chairman of IBA-CEIF, and former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan. A special address was presented by Mr. Saleemullah, Deputy Governor (Finance, Inclusion & Innovation) at the State Bank of Pakistan.
The opening session featured welcoming remarks from Mr. Ghulam Muhammad Abbasi, Executive Director of the Islamic Finance Group at SBP, Prof. Dr. Abdullah Zafar Sheikh, Dean of the School of Business Studies at IBA Karachi, and Dr. Irum Saba, Director of IBA-CEIF.
The forum included keynote presentations, panel discussions, and an interactive dialogue led by Dr. Zahid Ur Rehman Khokher, Director of the Islamic Finance Policy Department, SBP, and Ms. Nighat Tanveer, Director of the Islamic Finance Development Department, SBP.
Participants discussed a wide range of strategic issues, including Maqasid-based financial intermediation, the evolving role of Shariah Boards, emerging regulatory developments, and the future direction of Pakistan’s Islamic finance ecosystem. The discussions emphasized the importance of strengthening Shariah governance, promoting innovation, and fostering greater collaboration among regulators, financial institutions, and industry experts to support the continued growth of Islamic finance in Pakistan.
