Meezan Bank wins ‘Best Bank Award’ at Pakistan Banking Awards 2025

November 15, 2025 (MLN): Meezan Bank has secured the Best Bank Award at the 10th Pakistan Banking Awards, reaffirming its position as Pakistan’s leading Shariah-compliant financial institution.

Meezan Bank’s recognition as Best Bank 2025 sets a benchmark for the industry as Pakistan’s financial sector moves into a decade of transformation.

The ceremony also honoured several institutions across key categories. The Bank of Punjab secured multiple accolades, winning the awards for Best Bank for Women Inclusion, Best Bank for SMEs, and Best Bank for Agriculture Inclusion.

Kashf Foundation was recognized as the Best Microfinance Institution, while Bank Alfalah received two distinctions, Best Bank for Digital Excellence and Best Bank for Customer Engagement.

Faysal Bank was declared the Best Mid-sized Bank, and HBL earned the award for Best Bank for ESG, acknowledging its commitment to environmental, social, and governance standards.

The award was presented by State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, who graced the ceremony as Chief Guest at the Pearl Continental Hotel, Karachi.

Recognizing Meezan Bank’s superior performance, strong governance, and service excellence, the Governor praised the institution for setting high standards in the financial sector.

In his address, Governor Jameel Ahmad highlighted the pivotal role these awards have played in elevating the quality of banking services in Pakistan.

He presented a comprehensive transformation blueprint for the next decade, driven by innovation, inclusion, and responsibility.

He emphasized that sustainable transformation would require banks to reorient their business models to better serve the financial needs of the private sector, particularly SMEs, startups, and small depositors.

“Banks that continue to rely on easy returns from lending to the government will eventually be left behind by institutions that are mobilizing deposits and meeting the growing credit needs of the underserved segments,” said the Governor.

The Governor urged banks to accelerate reforms in the following four critical areas:

1. Embed Digitalization Deeply
   Banks must integrate digital solutions into everyday customer interactions and internal operations. This includes mobile commerce, agricultural supply chains, digital credit scoring, and enhanced risk management using data-driven tools.
2. Adopt AI and Machine Learning
   Governor Jameel Ahmad stressed the need for AI-powered risk models that capture alternative data. This, he said, would enable banks to design tailor-made financial products for SMEs, startups, and entrepreneurs who may lack traditional credit documentation.
3. Integrate Climate Risk into Credit Decisions
   He called for the incorporation of climate risk assessments in lending decisions. Banks should set clear sustainability targets and work on expanding green financing instruments such as green bonds and sustainability-linked loans.
4. Support Pakistan’s Export Sector
   The Governor urged banks to strategically realign their business models to broaden financial access for exporters and strengthen export competitiveness.

He reiterated that banks adopting these reforms will be best positioned to meet the evolving needs of Pakistan’s economy over the next decade.

The 10th Pakistan Banking Awards were jointly organized by the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF), DAWN Media, and A.F. Ferguson & Co.

Governor Ahmad commended the organizers for “promoting excellence, innovation, and integrity in Pakistan’s financial sector for ten consecutive years.”

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