Pakistan Banking Summit 2026 opens: Pakistan transitioning to investment-led growth: Aurangzeb

KARACHI: The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) on Thursday inaugurated the second Pakistan Banking Summit 2026 (PBS’26), setting the stage for two days of high-level discussions on the policies, partnerships, and innovations required to strengthen Pakistan’s financial sector and support the country’s next phase of economic growth.

The opening day brought together more than 600 attendees from across Pakistan’s banking and financial ecosystem, including senior government officials, regulators, banking executives, international experts, development partners, academia, and corporate Pakistan.

Discussions centred on the economic and policy priorities shaping the financial sector, with sessions exploring global economic trends, digital transformation, priority-sector financing, payments, and emerging technologies. By bringing together diverse stakeholders on a single platform, the Summit seeks to foster collaboration, exchange global best practices, and advance practical solutions for a more resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial system.

The Summit was inaugurated by Zafar Masud, Chairman, PBA, who highlighted the banking sector’s progress in expanding priority-sector financing, accelerating digital transformation, and advancing financial inclusion.

He emphasised that sustained collaboration between the banking industry, policymakers, and the regulator will be critical to building a resilient, inclusive, and future-ready financial system that supports Pakistan’s long-term economic growth.

Invited as a Chief Guest, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, said Pakistan is transitioning from economic stabilisation to a phase of sustainable, investment-led growth, with the banking sector playing a pivotal role in driving the country’s economic transformation.

He emphasised the importance of expanding access to finance for SMEs through a coordinated industry-wide approach and outlined the Government’s ongoing reform agenda spanning taxation, capital markets, digital assets, and revenue administration.

Keynote addresses by Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance & Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, underscored the Government’s roadmap for advancing a cashless Pakistan, emphasising the role of digital payments, technology, and coordinated public-private action in accelerating financial inclusion, improving economic documentation, and driving long-term economic growth.

Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, State Bank of Pakistan, outlined SBP’s vision for expanding access to finance for SMEs and strengthening the sector’s role in driving inclusive and sustainable economic growth

Shahmir Khaliq, Global Head of Services at Citi, offered a global perspective on the future of financial services, highlighting the transformative role of digital innovation, interoperable payment ecosystems, and cross-border connectivity in shaping the next generation of banking.

Other notable speakers included Simon Andrews, Regional Director, International Finance Corporation (IFC); Dr Ailish Campbell, EVP, Global Public Sector, Mastercard; Maximilian Biswanger, Investment Director, Head of Digital Financial Services, among others.

The Summit will continue on 8 July with sessions on Pakistan’s economic outlook, capital markets, climate-responsive and sustainable banking, Islamic finance, and next-generation talent and leadership. The second day will further reinforce the Summit’s role as a platform for informed policy dialogue, industry collaboration, and collective action to shape the future of Pakistan’s financial sector.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026