ISLAMABAD: In a bid to strengthen leadership within its retail banking division, the Bank of Khyber (BOK) on Wednesday appointed Gul Buhar Khan, a seasoned banking executive, as senior executive vice president (SEVP) and group head of retail banking.
Khan, 53, a dynamic leader in banking, brings more than two decades of experience in managing large-scale banking operations nationwide.
His appointment is widely seen as a decisive step towards aggressively growing the retail business, not only in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa but also across the country, with a focus on network expansion, enhancing the efficiency of existing branches, ensuring regulatory compliance, and exceeding customer service standards across BOK.
Before joining BOK, Khan served as executive vice president and general manager of retail banking at the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), where he oversaw branch banking operations, initially in the Islamabad hub and later in Karachi.
Under his stewardship, the business regions he led consistently remained at the forefront, achieving new milestones not only in business growth but also in customer experience, strong compliance, and operational efficiency.
Earlier in his career, Khan held senior positions at Habib Bank Ltd (HBL), managing branch banking business in northern regions of the country including Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
His experience in senior positions across critical business markets such as Sialkot and Karachi further refined his banking acumen.
Khan began his professional journey in 2004 with Standard Chartered Bank, steadily progressing through the management ranks to become a recognised leader in branch banking.
Khan’s academic background combines both technical and managerial expertise. He holds a bachelor’s degree in civil engineering from the University of Engineering & Technology (UET) Peshawar, and an MBA from Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), with both degrees earned on merit scholarships.
Khan’s appointment comes at a pivotal moment for the country’s banking sector, which is grappling with slower economic growth, inflationary pressures, and elevated non-performing loans in certain segments.
Retail banking, in particular, is facing disruption from digital transformation, shifting customer expectations, and growing competition from fintech firms and technologically advanced banks.
Analysts emphasise that appointing an experienced leader like Khan to head BOK’s branch banking group highlights the crucial role of strong leadership in maintaining efficiency, regulatory compliance, and an exceptional customer experience.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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