KARACHI: The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) has announced the second edition of the Pakistan Banking Summit 2026 (PBS’26), its flagship annual industry event, to take place on 7-8 July in Karachi.
Hosted under the aegis of the PBA, the Pakistan Banking Summit has established itself as the banking industry’s premier platform for fostering collaboration, sharing global best practices, and advancing policy dialogue to support the long-term development of Pakistan’s financial sector.
Addressing a press conference held in Karachi, the Summit was formally announced by AtifBajwa, Chairman of the Steering Committee of the Pakistan Banking Summit and President and CEO of Bank Alfalah, Zafar Masud, Chairman of PBA and President and CEO of the Bank of Punjab, and Muneer Kamal, CEO and Secretary General of the PBA.
On the occasion PBS Steering Committee members, including Yousaf Hussain, Vice Chairman, PBA and President and CEO of Faysal Bank, and Habib Yousuf, Citi Country Officer and Banking Head of Citi Pakistan, were also present.
Addressing the press conference, AtifBajwa said that the timing of PBS’26 was particularly significant. Coming immediately after the announcement of the Federal Budget, the summit provided a timely opportunity for policymakers, regulators, industry leaders, and international experts to reflect on the country’s economic priorities and discuss how those ambitions could be translated into meaningful outcomes.
More importantly, he said that it moved the conversation beyond policy announcements towards implementation, collaboration, and practical solutions. By bringing together diverse perspectives, PBS’26 aimed to help shape a stronger, more competitive, and future-ready financial sector that supported Pakistan’s long-term economic growth, he added.
Zafar Masud, Chairman of the PBA, said that the PBS’26 was about building consensus, sharing global best practices, and collectively shaping the future of Pakistan’s financial sector.
He said that building on the success of its inaugural edition last year, PBS’26 would bring together senior leaders from across the industry for two days of strategic dialogue on the opportunities, challenges, and policy priorities shaping Pakistan’s economy and financial sector.
Masud said that across nine thematic sessions, PBS’26 would examine the defining issues shaping Pakistan’s financial landscape, including the global and domestic economic outlook, financing priority sectors such as agriculture, SMEs and low-cost housing, digital banking and payments, climate-responsive finance, synergies between banks and capital markets, Islamic banking, and next-generation talent and leadership.
The programmewould feature over 15 international speakers participating in person, more than 20 local thought leaders, including a special video address by Syed Babar Ali, Founding Pro-Chancellor of the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS), and representation from over 48 financial institutions, he said.
Muneer Kamal, CEO and Secretary General of the PBA, said that the Pakistan Banking Summit reflected the banking industry’s commitment to continuous learning, collaboration, and collective progress.
By bringing together diverse perspectives from Pakistan and around the world, PBS’26 would help generate practical insights, strengthen partnerships, and contribute to a more resilient, innovative, and future-ready financial ecosystem.
The Summit will convene more than 1,200 participants, including policymakers, regulators, banking leaders, corporate executives, academia, and development partners.
Keynote speakers include Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue; Jameel Ahmad, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan; and Bilal AzharKayani, Minister of State for Finance and Railways and Head of the PM’s Delivery Unit.
The two-day summit will bring global perspectives, industry expertise, and practical insights to inform the policy discussions shaping the future of Pakistan’s financial sector.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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