January 24, 2025 (MLN): The Board of Directors of Askari Bank Limited (PSX: AKBL) has decided to appoint Zia Ijaz as President and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for a term of three years.
This appointment is subjected to the clearance of his Fit and Proper Test (FPT) by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the company's filing on PSX revealed today.
The appointment is also contingent upon compliance with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations.
The Board of Directors has expressed its appreciation for the valuable contributions and services rendered by Saleem Anwar as Acting President & CEO of the Bank.
Saleem Anwar will continue to hold this position until Zia Ijaz assumes office.
Previously, Zia Ijaz served as Deputy CEO of United Bank Limited (UBL) and Head of Branch Banking and International Business Groups at UBL.
The Branch Banking Group comprises Branch Distribution, Consumer, SME, Rural Banking, and Wealth & Marketing functions.
The International Group includes UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain Branch Operations, Home Remittances, and International Governance.
Before joining UBL, Zia Ijaz served Allied Bank (ABL) for over 12 years in various leading roles, including CFO, Group Chief of Commercial & Retail Banking, and Group Chief of Operations.
He has also served as Financial Controller at Riyadh Bank in Saudi Arabia and as CFO at Askari Bank.
Prior to his banking career, Zia 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.
