The Institute of Business Administration (IBA) Karachi has successfully hosted the World Islamic Finance Forum (WIFF) 2024, a prestigious two-day event aimed at advancing the discourse on Islamic finance in the context of innovation, climate finance, and sustainable growth. The conference, organized by the IBA Centre for Excellence in Islamic Finance (IBA-CEIF), was held at the Mövenpick Hotel in Karachi and convened a distinguished group of regulators, academics, policymakers, Shariah scholars, and financial industry leaders from across the globe.
Under the theme “Islamic Finance: Innovation, Climate Finance & Sustainable Growth”, WIFF 2024 explored groundbreaking ideas, policy guidelines, and academic advancements in the field. The event featured an illustrious lineup of speakers, including:
- Prof Ahsan Iqbal, Federal Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives (Chief Guest)
- Dr S Akbar Zaidi, Executive Director, IBA Karachi
- Dr Ishrat Husain, Professor Emeritus & Chairman, IBA-CEIF
- Mr Akif Saeed, Chairman, SECP
- Mr Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor, SBP
- Mr Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Director, IBA-CEIF
In his inaugural address, Chief Guest Prof Ahsan Iqbal emphasized the transformative role of education in creating future leaders who can guide nations towards sustainable development. He stressed the need for fostering innovation, critical thinking, and ethical responsibility as essential tools for economic and social progress.
Dr Ishrat Husain highlighted the significant economic disparities in Pakistan, particularly between urban hubs and rural areas. He advocated for targeted interventions in education, infrastructure, and technology to uplift marginalized communities and promote inclusive economic growth.
Dr S Akbar Zaidi underscored the challenges and opportunities in transitioning Pakistan’s economic framework to align with Islamic principles. He reaffirmed IBA’s commitment to advancing research and policy-making to strengthen the foundation of Islamic finance in the country.
WIFF 2024 provided a collaborative platform for stakeholders to address critical issues, such as climate finance, sustainability, and the integration of Shariah-compliant financial systems into global economic frameworks.
The event underscored the potential of Islamic finance to not only drive financial inclusion but also contribute to broader sustainable development goals.
As Pakistan continues to strengthen its Islamic financial ecosystem, WIFF 2024 marked a significant step forward, fostering dialogue and partnerships to navigate the challenges and opportunities ahead.