Pakistan Banks Association Elects Zafar Masud as Chairman, Announces 16-Member Executive Committee

**Karachi:** The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) has announced the election of its new 16-member Executive Committee, marking a significant step toward broader inclusion and stronger representation of the banking sector. The newly formed committee includes two women members and eight newly inducted banks, reflecting PBA’s commitment to diversity and inclusive leadership.

Following the elections, the Executive Committee unanimously elected **Zafar Masud**, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Bank of Punjab, as the new Chairman of the Pakistan Banks Association.

Speaking after his election, Zafar Masud said that the newly constituted Executive Committee represents an important evolutionary phase in PBA’s leadership. He noted that the expanded and diverse membership will strengthen the Association’s ability to advance the national economic agenda, including reducing credit gaps in priority sectors, promoting financial inclusion through digital channels, and supporting Pakistan’s sustainable economic recovery.

Under the new leadership structure, **Nasser Salim**, President and CEO of Habib Bank Limited, has been appointed as Senior Vice Chairman, while **Yousaf Hussain**, President and CEO of Faysal Bank Limited, has been named Vice Chairman.

Nasser Salim emphasized the importance of stability and a strong compliance framework in the face of global economic pressures. Meanwhile, Yousaf Hussain highlighted modernization, the use of technology, and institutional agility as key priorities to keep Pakistan’s banking sector innovative and regionally competitive.

Commenting on the development, **Munir Kamal**, Chief Executive Officer and Secretary General of the Pakistan Banks Association, said that the expansion of the Executive Committee—particularly the historic inclusion of women—reflects the Association’s commitment to diversity and modern governance.

Under the new leadership, PBA aims to further strengthen collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, the Ministry of Finance, and the federal government to support infrastructure development, enhance private sector credit for agriculture and SMEs, and accelerate Pakistan’s digital transformation.