ABL charts digital-first future

December 24, 2025 (MLN): Allied Bank Limited (PSX: ABL) has positioned itself as a symbol of resilience, digital innovation, and financial stability in Pakistan’s evolving banking landscape.

This was highlighted in an in-depth interview with its Chief Executive Officer, Aizid Razzaq Gill, published in USA Today as part of a special 16-page Pakistan Special Report.

Speaking to an international audience, Gill addressed Pakistan’s long-standing perception challenges, attributing them largely to regional geopolitics and post-9/11 fallout rather than ground realities.

He emphasized that recent government efforts, coupled with growing tourism and first-hand visitor experiences, are steadily reshaping Pakistan’s global image as a welcoming and opportunity-rich country.

Gill also shared his personal journey, from studying architecture in Lahore and earning an MBA in California to building a three-decade-long career across corporate banking, risk management, and retail finance.

A Chevening scholar with a master’s degree in business economics from the University of Manchester, Gill said his decision to return to Pakistan was driven by a desire to contribute directly to the national economy.

He has led Allied Bank as CEO for the past five years.

A defining feature of Allied Bank, according to Gill, is its deeply rooted internal culture. The bank follows a strong “promote from within” philosophy introduced after its privatization two decades ago.

All of the CEO’s direct reports have spent 15–20 years at ABL, reflecting institutional continuity, leadership development, and long-term stability.

Gill noted that future leadership, including the next CEO, could well emerge from the bank’s current management trainee pool.

Strategically, Allied Bank is focused on two core pillars, robust risk management and digital transformation.

While acknowledging that Pakistan’s financial inclusion journey still requires physical branches in remote areas, Gill said ABL’s digital services in urban centers are already at, and in some cases ahead of, global standards.

The results of this strategy are evident. Around 83% of Allied Bank’s transactions are now conducted digitally, marking a dramatic behavioral shift among customers.

The bank’s digital ecosystem is supported by partnerships with global technology leaders such as Oracle, IBM, and Temenos.

ABL was the first bank in Pakistan to implement the Temenos core banking system in 2006 and continues to upgrade it.

Gill revealed that the bank is actively experimenting with artificial intelligence, large language models, and even Metaverse-based experimental branches.

He highlighted the bank’s proprietary Risk Assessment and Management System (RAMS), developed over 15 years ago, which digitized credit approvals and now manages the entire loan book.

This system has helped ABL maintain the lowest non-performing loan (NPL) ratio in Pakistan at just 1.2%, compared with an industry average of 8% or more.

Strong fundamentals underpin ABL’s performance. The bank boasts one of the highest capital adequacy ratios in the industry, a AAA local credit rating, and the highest corporate governance ratings among Pakistani banks.

These strengths have earned Allied Bank repeated international recognition, including Bank of the Year by The Banker and Financial Times for three consecutive years, and Best Digital Bank in Pakistan by Euromoney.

Beyond banking, Gill made a strong case for foreign investment in Pakistan, pointing to untapped potential in agriculture, tourism, and minerals.

He stressed that Pakistan’s banking system is well-regulated and capable of supporting long-term investment, even in challenging macroeconomic conditions.

“This is the right time to look at Pakistan,” Gill said, concluding with a message to global investors. “The country is rich in opportunity and eager for partnerships.

Allied Bank stands ready to support investment, drive inclusion, and power Pakistan’s digital and economic transformation.”

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