Askari Bank Appoints Zia Ijaz As President/CEO

The Board of Directors of Askari Bank Limited (PSX: AKBL) in its meeting held on Friday, January 24, 2025, has decided to appoint Zia Ijaz, as President & CEO of Askari Bank Limited for a term of three years, subject to clearance of his Fit and Proper Test (FPT) from State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and compliance with all applicable laws, rules and regulations in this regard. AKBL said this in a stock filing issued at the main bourse today. The Board of Directors has also placed on record their appreciation for the valuable contribution and the services rendered by Saleem Anwar as Acting President & CEO of the Bank who will continue to hold this position till joining of Zia Ijaz, the filing added. Zia Ijaz has over 30 years of diversified banking experience. He has served as the Deputy CEO of UBL Limited and Head of Branch Banking and International Business Groups, at UBL. Ijaz has also held various leadership roles at Allied Bank (ABL), including CFO, Group Chief of Commercial & Retail Banking, and Group Chief of Operations. Additionally, he has served as Financial Controller at Riyadh Bank in Saudi Arabia and as CFO at Askari Bank. Prior to his banking career, Mr Ijaz was associated with Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder & Co. (a member of Ernst & Young). He is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan and a CPA from AICPA, USA.