From Vision to Reality: The Success Story of Islamic Banking and Finance

From Vision to Reality: The Success Story of Islamic Banking and Finance explores the remarkable journey of Islamic banking from a conceptual vision rooted in Shariah principles to a thriving global financial system. This workshop delves into the historical evolution, guiding principles, and key milestones that have shaped the growth of Islamic finance. Participants will gain insights into the unique value propositions of Islamic banking, its resilience during financial crises, and the strategic initiatives that have contributed to its global success. The session aims to inspire and inform professionals, academics, and students by highlighting how a faith-based financial model has transitioned into a viable and competitive alternative in the modern banking landscape.

Key topics:

The Importance of Islamic Finance; A Choice or Responsibility.
Ethical and Practical Perspective of Islamic Finance.
Difference between the Islamic and conventional banking system.
Investment and Financing solutions of Islamic banking and finance.
Sustainable development and the role of Islamic banking and finance.
Historical development of Islamic banking and finance; a global and local perspective.
The role of Industry and Academia in future development and opportunities.

Training Specialist

Mr. Zulqarnain Haider
Vice President
Corporate Products & Structured Finance Shari'ah Compliance Department.
Manager-Strategic team Govt. of Pakistan Sukuk program and Islamic Finance Projects.
Meezan Bank.

Mr. Zulqarnain Haider is a dynamic and passionate professional in the field of Islamic Banking and Finance, with over nine years of rich, diverse, and hands-on experience. His expertise spans product structuring and process flow development for Corporate, Commercial, and SME sectors, along with extensive work in Shari’ah compliance and reviews across multiple banking segments. He has played a strategic role in the Government of Pakistan’s landmark Islamic finance initiatives, most notably the execution of the country's first Energy Sukuk of PKR 200 billion in 2019, followed by Energy Sukuk-II in 2020, and record-breaking Government Ijarah Sukuk transactions totaling PKR 6.3 trillion from 2020 to 2024. In 2025, he led the issuance of Pakistan’s first-ever Green Sukuk worth PKR 30 billion.

In addition to his operational roles, Mr. Zulqarnain serves as a full-time in-house trainer and is a certified trainer with the State Bank of Pakistan and NIBAF. A prolific public speaker, he has delivered over 300 seminars and sessions at prestigious universities, chambers of commerce, and public platforms across Pakistan. Academically and professionally qualified in Islamic finance from renowned institutions, Mr. Zulqarnain continues to contribute significantly to the growth and understanding of Islamic finance in Pakistan.