IBA-CEIF Strengthens Pakistan’s Leadership in Islamic Finance
- Inaugural Session Features Renowned National and Global Experts
- Dr. Akbar Zaidi Emphasizes Challenges of Transforming Economic Systems
- Prof. Ahsan Iqbal Highlights the Role of Education in Ethical Leadership
- Dr. Ishrat Husain Stresses Addressing Urban-Rural Poverty Disparities
- Keynote Speeches Set the Stage for Collaboration and Innovation
- Islamic Finance as a Catalyst for Climate and Economic Solutions
- Prominent Regulatory and Academic Figures Discuss Policy Guidelines
Karachi: IBA Karachi proudly hosted the two-day World Islamic Finance Forum (WIFF) 2024, a landmark event focused on advancing innovation, climate finance, and sustainable growth in the Islamic finance sector. Organized by IBA’s Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance (IBA-CEIF), the forum convened industry leaders, policymakers, researchers, and academics at the Mövenpick Hotel, Karachi.
Themed “Islamic Finance: Innovation, Climate Finance & Sustainable Growth,” the forum aimed to provide policy guidelines and establish academic footprints in Islamic finance. The conference highlighted the potential of Islamic finance to address global challenges like climate change and sustainable economic development.
Prominent Figures at the Forum
The event was inaugurated by an esteemed panel of speakers, including:
- Prof. Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (Chief Guest)
- Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi
- Dr. Ishrat Husain, Professor Emeritus and Chairman, IBA-CEIF
- Mr. Akif Saeed, Chairman, SECP
- Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, SBP
- Mr. Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Director, IBA-CEIF
Key Addresses
In his welcome note, Dr. Akbar Zaidi emphasized the challenges of transforming Pakistan’s economic system to align with Islamic principles under the country’s constitutional mandate. He called for collective efforts from academia, regulators, and industry stakeholders to promote innovation in Islamic finance.
Chief Guest Prof. Ahsan Iqbal underscored the transformative power of quality education in shaping ethical, forward-thinking leaders. He highlighted the need for education systems to foster innovation, critical thinking, and responsibility, enabling leaders to guide Pakistan and the global community toward sustainable development.
Dr. Ishrat Husain highlighted stark poverty disparities between Pakistan’s urban centers and smaller towns. He urged for targeted innovations in education, infrastructure, and technology to uplift marginalized communities, promote economic inclusion, and foster resilience.
Collaboration for Progress
The forum brought together a diverse audience of regulatory authorities, Islamic bankers, Shariah scholars, and representatives from local and global Islamic financial institutions. Discussions emphasized the role of climate finance and sustainable growth as critical areas for innovation in the Islamic finance sector.
The event marked a significant step forward in leveraging Islamic finance principles to address economic and environmental challenges. It underscored IBA Karachi’s commitment to fostering dialogue and innovation in the Islamic finance industry.
About IBA Karachi:
IBA Karachi with 70 years of Leadership, Excellence & Impact has broadened its Academic Landscape by launching three unique schools: the School of Business Studies (SBS), the School of Economics & Social Sciences (SESS), and the School of Mathematics & Computer Science (SMCS). This strategic expansion features IBA’s commitment to advancing Leadership, Excellence & Impact across diverse fields.