SBP grants FPT clearance to Zia Ijaz as Askari Bank CEO

February 07, 2025 (MLN): The State Bank of Pakistan has granted Fit and Proper Test (FPT) clearance to Mr. Zia Ijaz for the position of President & CEO of Askari Bank Limited (PSX: AKBL).

Following this approval, he will officially assume charge of his new role on Monday, February 17, 2025, the notification issued to the local bourse.

To note, the Board of Directors of AKBL had appointed Zia Ijaz as President and CEO for a three-year term, subject to FPT clearance by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and compliance with all regulatory requirements.

Zia Ijaz previously served as Deputy CEO of United Bank Limited (UBL), where he led the Branch Banking and International Business Groups.

His responsibilities in the Branch Banking Group included Branch Distribution, Consumer Banking, SME, Rural Banking, and Wealth & Marketing.

Meanwhile, the International Business Group oversaw operations in UAE, Qatar, and Bahrain, along with Home Remittances and International Governance.

Before joining UBL, he spent over 12 years at Allied Bank (ABL) in key leadership roles, including Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Group Chief of Commercial & Retail Banking, and Group Chief of Operations.

His extensive banking experience also includes serving as Financial Controller at Riyadh Bank in Saudi Arabia and as CFO at Askari Bank.

At the start of his career, Zia Ijaz was associated with Ford Rhodes Sidat Hyder & Co., a member firm of Ernst & Young.

He is a Chartered Accountant, a Fellow member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan, and a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) accredited by the AICPA, USA.

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