Shahjalal Islami Bank receives Bronze Award from the South Asian Federation of Accountants

Shahjalal Islami Bank PLC has secured the prestigious Bronze Award in the Private Sector Banks category from the South Asian Federation of Accountants (SAFA) for its Best Presented Annual Report 2024. The recognition highlights the bank’s commitment to transparency, quality financial reporting and adherence to internationally accepted accounting standards.

The award was formally handed over on 27 November 2025 at a ceremony held at the Marriott Hotel in Islamabad, Pakistan. The bank’s Chief Financial Officer, Md. Jafar Sadeq, FCA, received the honour from SAFA President Ashfaq Yousuf Tola. The event brought together distinguished accounting professionals from across South Asia, who discussed financial governance, corporate transparency and global reporting standards.

The ceremony was attended by Pakistan’s Deputy Prime Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar and the President of the International Federation of Accountants (IFAC) Jean Bouquot, adding significant prestige to the occasion. Representatives of Shahjalal Islami Bank expressed that the bank has consistently maintained high standards in preparing its annual reports, and the award serves as an international recognition of those efforts.

Discussions during the programme also covered the development of the region’s financial sector, regulatory frameworks, digital reporting practices and the importance of transparency in banking. Participants emphasised that strengthening corporate governance across South Asia requires strict adherence to internationally recognised accounting frameworks.

A summary of key information extracted from the report is presented below:

Following the event, the bank stated that it remains committed to further improving its reporting practices, enhancing corporate structure and expanding technology-driven banking initiatives to reinforce customer confidence.

AJ