DR. JAMSHAID ANWAR CHATTHA
WHAT WAS YOUR EARLIEST AMBITION?
From my early childhood I was good at maths and finance, but like others in that young age did not have a clear ambition. I wanted to work for an intelligence agency, and maybe a chef. My uncle wanted me to be a scientist as he was working for one of the largest science and technology institutions in the country. However, when at college, I decided to be a banker and a regulator of banking and financial services.
WHAT DO YOU ENJOY THE MOST?
Amidst my extreme business I try not to forget to have fun and relax. Lazy Sunday with no emails to read, while watching a live cricket match, is a real treat. Next to this is having a sound sleep. Passion and commitment are important pillars of my enjoyment in office life, and I enjoy helping people even if that may involve burdening myself with extra work.
WHY ARE YOU INTO ISLAMIC BANKING AND FINANCE?
I chose Islamic finance for life. Out of my 12+ years of career, I have only worked six months for a conventional bank. All my career and post-graduate education has been in the field of Islamic banking and finance. I believe, being a strong advocate of Islamic finance regulatory framework, I have a role to play in the development and promotion of a robust Islamic financial ecosystem globally.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR SPARE TIME?
To be successful in the professional world, you need some free time. I spend my spare time with my kids and take charge of the kitchen to cook my favourite Chicken Biryani. And being a millennial, I do spend time on social media to stay connected with friends and family.
WHICH MOVIE IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE? [IF YOU WATCH MOVIES]
Sirf Tum (lit. Only You) is romantic Bollywood love story between an ordinary young man with a big heart, and an attractive, middle-class girl, who didn’t even meet before falling in love. I loved the unimaginable and unconditional mutual affection with quality of songs.
WHO HAS BEEN YOUR GREATEST MENTOR?
The first Secretary-General of the IFSB, and my boss, Prof. Dato’ Riffat Ahmed Abdul Karim. He is not only who provided me technical mentoring on Islamic finance but also he showed a great amount of kind-heartedness and fatherly touch in terms of intellectual growth and leadership. To be honest, I won’t be where I am today, or where I inspire to be, had he not believed in me by providing opportunity to serve the Islamic finance services industry.
WHERE ARE YOU THE HAPPIEST?
When I am around the people who love and care about me, and give me honest feedback (positive and negative), and probably with some great and inspiring like-minded people such as Nizamuddin Arshad from whom I learned a lot.
IF YOUR 15 YEARS OLD SEES YOU TODAY WHAT WOULD HE SAY?
I think he would say and appreciate that I made the right decision not to pursue studying chemistry and biology on the recommendation of my uncle, which I did not like at all, and instead focused on mathematics and finance.
“I chose Islamic finance for life. Out of my 12+ years of career, I have only worked six months for a conventional bank. All my career and post-graduate education has been in the field of Islamic banking and finance.”
IN A FEW SENTENCES DESCRIBE YOUR 65 YEARS OLD.
Big “if”. If I am alive by that time, I will prefer playing golf and watching non-stop cricket matches in that age but I will also be actively contributing to the academia by sharing the knowledge and industry experience with the next generation.
ANY DISAPPOINTMENT IN LIFE?
Blessed with everything so far but life without disappointment would be boring, and we have to deal with it.
