Zia Ijaz gets clearance to become new President & CEO of Askari Bank
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has
granted Fit and Proper Test (FPT) clearance to Zia Ijaz, paving the way for him
to assume the role of President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Askari
Bank Limited, according to a notice filed with the Pakistan Stock Exchange
(PSX) on Friday.
Ijaz will officially take charge on Monday,
February 17, 2025, succeeding Acting President & CEO Saleem Anwar.
"In continuation of our letter
dated January 24, 2025, it is hereby informed that the State Bank of Pakistan
has granted Fit and Proper Test (FPT) clearance to Mr. Zia Ijaz as President
& CEO of Askari Bank Limited. He will assume charge on February 17,
2025," the bank stated in its filing.
The Board of Directors of Askari
Bank had earlier appointed Ijaz as President & CEO for a three-year term on
January 24.
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Extensive Banking and Leadership
Experience
Bringing over 30 years of banking
expertise, Ijaz has held key leadership positions in some of Pakistan’s top
financial institutions.
Prior to this appointment, he served
as Deputy CEO of United Bank Limited (UBL), where he led the Branch Banking and
International Business Groups, overseeing consumer banking, SME lending, wealth
management, marketing, and international operations in UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain.
Ijaz also spent over 12 years at
Allied Bank Limited (ABL) in senior roles, including:
Chief Financial Officer (CFO)
Group Chief of Commercial &
Retail Banking
Group Chief of Operations
His international experience
includes roles as Financial Controller at Riyadh Bank (Saudi Arabia) and CFO at
Askari Bank.
A Chartered Accountant, Ijaz is a Fellow
of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) and a Certified
Public Accountant (CPA) from AICPA, USA.
His appointment signals a strategic
move for Askari Bank as it aims for growth and operational excellence under his
leadership.
Source:
Profit Pakistan