ISLAMABAD: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in its quest to promote Islamic Banking in Pakistan has inaugurated another new branch of Aitemaad at I&T Centre, located in the Sector G-9/1 of Islamabad, taking the total number of Islamic banking branches to 170.

The ceremony was attended by the President and CEO of NBP Saeed Ahmad, accompanied by the Group Head of NBP Islamic Banking Khawaja M Aminul Azam along with numerous dignitaries and senior officials from National Highway Authority and Jamshoro Power Company. The local traders and businessmen were also present. In his inaugural address, Muhammad Tariq Khattak, SVP, Regional Head of Islamic Banking, Islamabad appreciated the vision and efforts of the President and Group Head for expanding the network across Pakistan. NBP plans to open/convert nearly 50 more branches in 2018.

“We strongly believe that Islamic banking promises great transparency and fairness to the consumers, hence it has great potential in a developing nation like Pakistan. That is why we have earmarked some very profitable branches for conversion into the Aitemaad Islamic model. With the launch of Aitemaad ‘Hamsafar’, NBP has ventured into the Islamic car-leasing market for the first time,” Saeed Ahmad informed the audience.—PR