Malaysian banking delegation explores Meezan Bank model for Islamic banking insights

KARACHI: A high-level delegation from Malaysia has recently visited Meezan Bank’s head office to study the bank’s successful Sharia-compliant banking model, a statement said on Wednesday.

The visit, which included senior officer from Malaysia’s key financial institutions, explored the bank’s Sharia-compliant practices and operations with a view to replicating its success back home, further reinforcing Meezan’s position as a trailblazer in Islamic finance across the region.

The delegation, led by the Association of Shariah Advisors in Islamic Finance in Malaysia (ASAS) and accompanied by Consul General of Malaysia Herman Hardynata Ahmad, comprised representatives from several key Malaysian institutions, including Bank Negara Malaysia (Central Bank of Malaysia), Bank Islam Malaysia Berhad, Bank Muamalat Malaysia Berhad, MBSB Bank Berhad, SME Bank (Small Medium Enterprise Development Bank Malaysia Berhad), and Alliance Islamic Bank Berhad.

With a market share approaching 25 per cent in Pakistan’s Islamic banking sector, Meezan Bank is widely recognised as a benchmark in the industry. The visit will offer the Malaysian delegates with a first-hand look at the bank’s operational framework, its implementation of various Sharia-compliant structures, and its approach to product development and innovation.

The delegation engaged in discussions with the bank’s executive leadership, regulatory stakeholders, and Shariah scholars. Particular attention was paid to the use of trade-- and partnership-based structures in its financing portfolio, a core differentiator of Meezan’s approach.

Independent Non-Executive Director of SME Bank Datuk Ahmad Hizzad bin Baharuddin said, “Our visit to Meezan Bank is a valuable opportunity to learn, engage, and collaborate with the Islamic finance community here. Unlike Malaysia’s central bank-driven approach, Pakistan offers a unique model led by the private sector, with Meezan at the forefront. We see strong potential for collaboration, particularly in financial integration in areas of Sukuk, where Malaysia is a global leader. Meezan Bank’s deep-rooted Sharia-based model, and Pakistan’s growing Islamic finance demand, offer valuable insights for the broader region.”