The inaugural session and day one of the 9th International Conference on Islamic Banking & Finance (ICIBF-2025), themed “Islamic Finance 5.0: Embracing Technology, Sustainability, and Ethical Excellence,” was organized by the College of Business Management (CBM), Institute of Business Management (IoBM) at a local hotel on Wednesday, November 19, 2025.
The event was hosted by IoBM’s Center for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF), with Cambridge IFA as Conference Partner. The two-day ICIBF is expected to bring together over 20 international speakers, more than 50 C-suite level executives, 50+ representatives from national and global institutions, and over 70 industry partners.
Present during the inaugural session representing IoBM were Mr. Talib Syed Karim, President; Prof. Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Rector; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dean CBM; Prof. Dr. Muhammad Abbas, Dean College of Computer Science & Information Systems (CCSIS), along with HoDs, Faculty, Management, and Students.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Pakistan, shared his message for ICIBF. He said that ICIBF has grown into a leading platform for dialogue and thought leadership in Islamic finance. He noted that this year’s theme reflects the global shift toward technology, sustainability, and ethical excellence. As Pakistan’s financial sector continues to evolve, he emphasized that IoBM’s commitment to digital innovation, sustainable finance, and research will help develop future leaders and strengthen the country’s financial landscape.
In his Welcome Address, Mr. Talib Syed Karim, President of IoBM, said Islamic banking is growing faster than conventional banking, bringing greater responsibility upon the policymakers. He stressed the need for trained professionals, regulatory alignment, and understanding new technologies. In his Opening Remarks, Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif highlighted that we are at a transformative moment as digital transition reshapes the future. He noted that Islamic finance, founded on shared prosperity and justice, is evolving within this new landscape. He also pointed to the participation of over 20 international speakers as a testament to the rising global and national significance of Islamic banking.
Prominent figures from Pakistan’s banking and finance sector who addressed the audience at the inaugural session were Mr. Yousuf Hussain, President & CEO, Faysal Bank; Prof. Dr. S. M Tariq Rafi, Chairman Sindh HEC; Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan; Mr. M. Bashir Janmohammad, Chancellor, IoBM; Mr. Irfan Siddiqui, President & CEO, Meezan Bank; Dr. Mohamed Lamine M. Sylla, Head of Research and Studies Division, International Islamic Fiqh Academy, Saudi Arabia; Mr. Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO, Al Baraka Bank Pakistan, Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor of SBP, and Justice Dr. Syed Muhammad Anwar, Aalim Judge, Federal Shariah Court.
The event also presented the Global Islamic Finance Report by Cambridge IFA. Speakers were Prof. Humayon Dar, Managing Director, Cambridge IFA, along with Prof. Dr. Kabir Hassan (University of New Orleans, USA); Prof. Dr. Eskandar Shah Mohd, CEO, ISRA Consulting, Malaysia; and Prof. Dr. Dawood Ashraf, Senior Researcher, Islamic Research and Training Institute (IRTI), Islamic Development Bank.
An exclusive dialogue between Irfan Siddiqui, President & CEO, Meezan Bank, and Dr. Ishrat Husain, Former Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, presented forward-looking insights that will help shape the trajectory of Islamic banking in Pakistan.
At the Conference, two books co-authored by Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin, Director CIBF-IoBM and Co-Chair of ICIBF, were also unveiled. The first book was Islamic Financial Institutions: An Introduction (Routledge, UK), has been published. The second book was Islamic Transformation of Conventional Finance and Economy: Navigating Opportunities, Overcoming Challenges, and Implementing Solutions, which will be released soon by Emerald Publishing. Prof. Dr Tariq Rahim Soomro, Rector of IoBM, and Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dean of CBM-IoBM, revealed both books. The President of IoBM, Mr. Talib Syed Karim, presented a special appreciation shield to Dr. Imam Uddin, Director CIBF and Co-Chair ICIBF, in recognition of his dedicated leadership and valuable contributions to the conference.
IoBM signed two MoUs at ICIBF (day one) with the Bahrain Institute of Banking & Finance (BIBF) and Universiti Malaysia Sarawak (UNIMAS). The objective of these partnerships was to foster academic collaboration, promote research in Islamic finance, and enhance knowledge exchange between institutions.
Day One of ICIBF 2025 concluded with a grand gala dinner hosted by Cambridge IFA in partnership with IoBM, which also featured the 11th Islamic Retail Banking Awards (IRBA). It is a globally recognized Islamic banking award known for its academically rigorous evaluation of Islamic banking efficiency and performance.
Day 2 of ICIBF 2025 featured a series of impactful panel sessions covering key themes such as Sustainable Finance, Islamic Finance Standards, Green Governance, the Future of Modaraba and Takaful, Halal Financing, Islamic Social Finance, Green Halal Finance, and Digital Transformation in Islamic Finance.
These discussions brought together industry leaders, CEOs, founders, and seasoned experts from various domains across the banking and finance sector. Their insights highlighted emerging trends, shared best practices, and emphasized the crucial role of Islamic finance in shaping a sustainable economic future.
Distinguished leaders of Pakistan’s banking sector, who addressed the inaugural session and the panel sessions on both days of the ICIBF, emphasized how the conference brought together industry experts to assess the current landscape and chart a roadmap for sustainable growth. Speakers underscored the sector’s ethical foundations, commitment to financial inclusion, and adherence to Shariah-compliant principles, key factors in reinforcing resilience, expanding market share, and contributing to national economic development. The discussions focused on emerging areas such as Islamic fintech, sustainable finance, harmonizing Shariah standards, and smart sukuks. Experts highlighted the rapid digital transformation propelled by AI, fintech collaborations, and automation, all aimed at enhancing customer experience and operational efficiency. ICIBF will also feature research paper presentations, where students will showcase their work on various topics related to Islamic business and finance.
In his closing remarks, Prof. Dr. Tariq Rahim Soomro, Rector IoBM, reflected on the proceedings of the two-day conference. He thanked all national and international speakers and expressed his hope that the discussions and deliberations that had taken place would add value to the Islamic financial sector of Pakistan. Prof. Dr. Soomro further urged attendees to carry forward the spirit of collaboration, scholarship, and innovation that had defined the two days. He asserted that Islamic finance was not merely an industry but a moral commitment, an intellectual endeavor, and a global movement for economic justice. He concluded by stating that, together, they could shape financial systems that uplifted humanity, safeguarded the environment, and honored the principles of equity, transparency, and shared prosperity.
The conference showcased the shared vision and expertise of Pakistan’s leading banking executives, who are playing a crucial role in shaping the next phase of Islamic finance. Their insights at ICIBF 2025 are set to influence policy, drive innovation, and reinforce Pakistan’s standing as a regional leader in Islamic banking.
Team ICIBF 2025 at IoBM
Various teams worked together to make ICIBF 2025 a success. They are as follows:
Conference Patron: Mr. Talib Syed Karim, President of IoBM
Conference Chair: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif, Dean CBM
Co-Chair: Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin, Director CIBF and Co-Chair, ICIBF
Organizing Committee
Team Leader: Prof. Dr. Muhammad Kashif
Co-Team Leaders: Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin, Dr. Shagufta Ghouri, Dr. Sarah Wali Qazi Members: Ms. Rabia Sabri, All Event Management team leads and Co-Leads
Conference Secretariat: Ms. Abeera and Ms. Ayesha
Finance Team
Team Leader: Prof Dr. Muhammad Kashif
Co-Team Leaders: Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin, Mr. Mehboob Moosa
Program Schedule Team
Team Leader: Dr. Falak Shad
Co-Team Leader: Dr. Kiran Jamil
Members: Dr. Fariha Raza, Mr. Omar Iftikhar, Ms. Kishwar Nazli, Ms. Nida Zehra, Dr. Shumaila Kashif, and Dr. Muhammad Ali Faisal
Stage Management Team
Team Leader: Dr. Arsalan Qayyum
Co-Team Leader: Ms. Nayab
Members: Dr. Shumaila Kashif and Dr. M. Ali (MOC of Main hall), Ms. Kanwal Hussain, Dr. Bazla, Dr. Sehrish, Dr. Sharukh, Mr. Saheer, Mr. Omer (supply chain)
Logistics and Administration Team
Team Leader: Dr. Salman Sarwat
Co-Team Leader: Dr. Fahad Bin Abdullah
Members: Mr. Hafiz Ahmed, Mr. Saheer, Dr. Irfan Khan, Dr. Arsalan Hussain, Dr. Rehan
Editorial Board
Chair: Dr. Arsalan Haneef Malik
Editorial Committee: Dr. Jahanzaib Alvi, Dr. Rehan, Dr. Momina, Dr. Arsalan Hussain Members: Mr. Shuaib Ahmed, Ms. Saima Munawar, Mr. Naveed
Event Management Team
Team Leader: Dr. Mehreen Mansoor
Co-Team Leader: Ms. Bushra Javed
Dr. Junaid Ansari and Dr. Kashif Arif (Registration Desk)
Dr. Midhat, Mr. Asim Khan, and Mr. Muzaffar (Food)
Mr. Babar Qalbani, Dr. Asma Rahim Chang, Dr. Asma Rehman, Dr. Raja Rehan, Saniya Saad
Mr. Hussain Shehryar, Ushers (From all Societies)
Business Development Team
Team Leader: Prof. Dr. Imam Uddin
Co-Team Leader: MARCOM / Event Management
MARCOM and Media Management Team
Team Leader: MarCom
Member: Ms. Abeera and Ms. Ayesha
About College of Business Management (CBM)
The College of Business Management (CBM), the flagship college of the Institute of Business Management (IoBM), stands as a leading center of business education in Pakistan. Established in 1995, CBM offers a comprehensive range of undergraduate, graduate, and postgraduate programs across diverse fields, including business management, accounting and finance, entrepreneurship, and supply chain management, among others. With a strong emphasis on academic excellence and market relevance, CBM prepares future business leaders by equipping them with contemporary industry knowledge, sharp analytical skills, and an ethical, informed approach to decision-making.
CBM’s curriculum blends immersive learning experiences with a global perspective, enabling students to excel in today’s dynamic and competitive business environment. Faculty and students at CBM actively engage in impactful research that addresses real-world business challenges, while the College’s industry connections foster innovation, collaboration, and meaningful community engagement.
The International Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance (ICIBF), organized under the banner of IoBM, has been hosted by CBM since its inaugural edition in November 2017. The Center for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF) at CBM streamlines the conference preparations and actively strengthens the industry-academia partnership, ensuring IoBM stays at the forefront of practical expertise, emerging trends, and professional development in Islamic finance.
About ICIBF
The Center for Islamic Business & Finance (CIBF) at the College of Business Management, IoBM, is one of Pakistan’s leading institutions dedicated to advancing Islamic economics, banking, and finance. It plays a vital role in fostering intellectual dialogue, policy development, and capacity building through academic programs, professional training, and strong industry partnerships.
A key achievement of CIBF is the International Conference on Islamic Banking and Finance (ICIBF), now in its ninth year. ICIBF has grown from a local initiative into a major regional platform that attracts global scholars, policymakers, industry leaders, regulators, and Shariah advisors.
The conference highlights cutting-edge research, encourages collaboration between regulators and practitioners, and promotes innovation in digital Islamic finance and ethical financial structures. By strengthening Pakistan’s role in the global Islamic finance community, ICIBF supports emerging scholars and shapes policy discussions on governance, sustainability, and financial inclusion. Each year, it provides valuable insights that influence strategies, regulations, and research priorities.
ICIBF 2025 is organized around four key sub-themes that address the most pressing areas in global Islamic finance today, including: Digital Transformation in Islamic Finance, Sustainability, Ethics, and Financial Inclusion, Strategic Development and New Frontiers in Islamic Finance, and Risk, Regulation.
