Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s leading Islamic bank and one of the country’s largest banks, has established the IU Centre for Excellence in Islamic FinTech (IU CEIF) at Iqra University in strategic collaboration with the University. The Centre was inaugurated at a ceremony held at the University Auditorium, EDC Defence Campus, Karachi.

The Centre has been established as a hub for research, innovation, industry collaboration, and capacity-building at the intersection of Islamic finance and financial technology. It is designed to support Pakistan’s growing Islamic finance and FinTech ecosystem by promoting Shariah-compliant financial innovation and building future-ready capabilities.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, as the Chief Guest. The event was hosted by Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram, Vice Chancellor, Iqra University, and Mr. Muhammad Farhan Ul Haq Usmani, Honorary Director, IU CEIF.

The ceremony was attended by international guests from the General Council for Islamic Banks and Financial Institutions (CIBAFI), Bahrain; Islamic Finance Advisory and Assurance Services (IFAAS), United Kingdom; and INCEIF University – International Centre for Education in Islamic Finance, Malaysia, along with presidents and CEOs of leading banks, senior representatives of Meezan Bank, including Dr. Muhammad Imran Ashraf Usmani and Sheikh Esam Mohamed Ishaq, Members of the Shariah Board of Meezan Bank, officials from the State Bank of Pakistan, members of academia, faculty, students, and professionals from the banking and FinTech sectors. Ms. Imaan Hunaid Lakhani, daughter of the late Mr. Hunaid Lakhani, also graced the occasion and interacted with the Meezan Bank team and distinguished guests. Her engagement reflected her support for Iqra University’s vision for innovation and industry collaboration through the Centre of Excellence in Islamic FinTech.

In his welcome address, Prof. Dr. Nassar Ikram said that the Centre reflects Iqra University’s commitment to advancing knowledge, innovation, and industry relevance in emerging areas of finance and technology. He noted that the collaboration with Meezan Bank would help strengthen the future of Islamic FinTech in Pakistan.

He further stated that the establishment of the IU Centre for Excellence in Islamic FinTech reflects the University’s vision of creating platforms that connect academia with industry, encourage research-led solutions, and prepare students and professionals for the evolving demands of the global financial landscape.

Meezan Bank’s President and CEO, Dr. Syed Amir Ali, delivered the keynote address, sharing the Bank’s vision for the Centre and its role in promoting Shariah-compliant innovation, skills development, and financial inclusion. He emphasized the need for a robust Islamic FinTech ecosystem that combines technological advancement with sustainable economic growth.

Mr. Muhammad Farhan Ul Haq Usmani, Honorary Director, IU CEIF, presented an overview of the Centre’s objectives, strategic direction, and planned initiatives. An introductory video highlighted the Centre’s focus on research, training, industry engagement, and innovation.

A panel discussion featuring senior representatives from international academia, banking, and the FinTech industry explored opportunities and challenges in advancing Islamic financial technology in Pakistan. Key areas of discussion included regulation, financial inclusion, talent development, and digital transformation.

Addressing the ceremony, Chief Guest Mr. Saleem Ullah commended the collaboration between Iqra University and Meezan Bank and reaffirmed the State Bank of Pakistan’s support for initiatives that strengthen Islamic finance, promote responsible innovation, and expand financial inclusion.

The ceremony concluded with the presentation of souvenirs, group photographs, and the formal ribbon-cutting ceremony to mark the inauguration of the Centre. Guests were also given a tour of the newly established FinTech Lounge.

Through IU CEIF, Meezan Bank and Iqra University aim to create a platform for research, industry engagement, innovation, and capacity-building, contributing to the long-term development of Pakistan’s Islamic finance and FinTech landscape.

About Meezan Bank

Meezan Bank is the leading Islamic bank of Pakistan and also one of the largest banks nationwide in terms of branch network as well as deposits. With a network of over 1,140 branches in more than 360 cities, it has the largest Islamic banking network in Pakistan. 

Meezan Bank has consistently been recognized as the Best Islamic Bank in Pakistan by numerous local and international institutions including its recognition as the ‘Best Bank ’ by Pakistan Banking Awards – the most prestigious award in the country’s financial sector for four years and by Islamic Finance News – Malaysia, Global Finance magazine – New York, Asset AAA – Hong Kong, Asiamoney – Hong Kong, The Banker – United Kingdom, South Asian Federation of Accountants, Islamic Finance Forum of South Asian Awards, – Dawn & IBP Pakistan, Employers Federation of Pakistan and CFA Association – Pakistan. The VIS Credit Rating Company Limited (formerly JCR-VIS Credit Rating Company) has retained the Bank’s entity rating to the highest possible level of ‘AAA/A1+’. This rating denotes the highest possible credit quality, with negligible risk factors, being only slightly more than for risk-free debt of the Government of Pakistan.

For more information: https://www.meezanbank.com/   

About Iqra University

Iqra University is one of Pakistan’s leading private higher education institutions, established in 1998 in Karachi and chartered by the Government of Sindh. The university offers undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral programs in disciplines such as business administration, computer science, engineering, media sciences, education, and design. It emphasizes academic excellence, applied learning, research, and technological innovation, supported by modern campuses, advanced laboratories, research Centres, and incubation facilities that foster entrepreneurship and industry engagement. Iqra University is ranked in the 801–1000 band globally in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2026, placed #517 in the QS Asia University Rankings 2026, and included in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (#551–580) in Business and Economics. Nationally, the university is recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan (HEC) among the leading private universities in Sindh. Through its emphasis on research excellence, innovation, and global collaboration, Iqra University continues to strengthen its contribution to Pakistan’s knowledge economy. The establishment of the Centre for Excellence in Islamic FinTech (IU-CEIF) reflects the university’s commitment to advancing innovation at the intersection of Islamic finance, financial technology, and the digital economy.