What was your earliest ambition?
During my teens, my role model was a close friend of my father. He was a Chartered Accountant and CEO of a multinational company; I admired him for being a successful professional and had the ambition to be a CA and head of an institution.
What kind of education did you have when you were growing up?
I studied at a semi-private school with a strong focus on discipline. Had the fortune of having some very good teachers at school and then in college. I completed my studies as Masters in Business Administration from the Institute of Business Administration, Karachi Pakistan.
Who was your mentor?
Rashid Maqsood Hamidi – FI Head for UBL was my first mentor in my professional life.
How physically fit are you?
Reasonably fit, go for a brisk walk regularly and sometimes do gym.
Ambition or talent: which matters more to success?
In my view, ambition matters more than talent as it makes you work hard and remain focused.
What is the future of the Islamic financial services industry in Pakistan?
I am optimistic about the continued growth of the industry both globally and in Pakistan. Key to success would be the offering of Shari’a-compliant solutions and products with an exceptional level of service and market reach. The industry is going through an evolutionary process; we can take this journey to the next level through continuous improvement in products and processes and seize the opportunity of developing a viable economic system.
This new system would address the challenges being faced by the conventional banking and finance system for the last couple of years and play a more meaningful role in global economic growth through viable infrastructure projects that could boost economic activity and help create jobs while serving one of the core principles of equitable distribution of wealth amongst the masses.
Your most wanted possession?
My immediate family; mother, wife and 3 daughters.
How committed you are to Islamic banking and finance?
My move to Islamic finance after being a conventional banker for 15 years was triggered by a dialogue in Ramadan of 2005 with my younger brother who had taken a course in Islamic finance as part of his Masters’s degree. On the day, just before Iftaar he quoted verse of Surah Al-Baqarah on interest which made me think and subsequently pray to Allah (SWT) to leave interest-based banking, Alhamdulillah within a couple of months I had a job offer to work for Dubai Islamic Bank (DIB) in Pakistan. 8 years on from this personal incident I am grateful to Allah for His guidance and am committed to contributing to Islamic finance industry.
In what place are you happiest?
I cherish the time I spend at home with my family, particularly my daughters.
What ambitions do you still have?
Make meaningful contributions to the development of the economic system based on the Islamic principle of equitable distribution of wealth.
What drives you on?
Execution and closure of a challenging transaction motivate me and strengthens my belief that Islamic finance can meet client needs through Shari’a-compliant solutions.
What is the greatest achievement of your life so far?
I have had interesting assignments throughout my career; however, I consider my stint at DIB Pakistan to be the most challenging and notable. I joined the bank during its inception and was part of the core team that built the franchise from scratch.
What has been your greatest disappointment?
None Alhamdulillah.
If your 20-year-old self could see you now, what would he think?
Overall satisfied and thank Allah for all His blessings.
If you had to rate your satisfaction with your life so far, out of 10, what would you score?
With a desire to give back more to the needy people in our society.
