Recently, a prominent Islamic Banker of Pakistan Mr. Mazhar Ali Bokhari has been awarded an Honorary "Doctorate in Islamic Banking & Finance" by the Italian university i.e "The Yorker International University Milan, Italy" and a certificate of award by their Newyork Campus. The Convocation was held on December 14, 2008 in Palazzo Borghese Hall, a beautiful place in Firenze Italy. Mr. Bokhari is the first Asian to receive this honour from a World Class University in Italy which has their various campuses spread all over the world and the first Islamic Banker who received this award.
Dr. Mazhar Ali Bokhari, a prominent Islamic Banker, born on July 29, 1960 in Multan – Pakistan, MBA from University of the Punjab, Lahore – Pakistan, Diplomaed Member of Institute of Bankers in Pakistan & Fellow Member of Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan since 1994. Started Banking career with State Bank of Pakistan as Inspecting Officer (1988 -1994).
Dr. Bokhari joined Albaraka Islamic Bank Lahore Pakistan in July 1994 as Assistant Vice President promoted as Vice President in January 1999, served Albaraka Bank from 1994 – 2003.
Dr. Bokhari joined Bank Alfalah Limited Lahore - Pakistan to set up an Islamic Banking Division. He successfully completed his assignment from 2003 – 2005 & joined Prime Commercial Bank Limited Lahore – Pakistan (Now Royal Bank of Scotland) as Head of Islamic Banking Division. He left the Bank in April 2007 after leaving successful Islamic Banking operations.
Dr. Bokhari was offered by a Gulf Group consisting of Bank Muscat International, IFC and Istithmar of Dubai a position of Head of International Operations and Strategic Planning Division in Gulf African Bank Limited; the First 100% full fledge Islamic in Nairobi. DR. Bokhari was the First Pakistani who accepted this challenge & successfully launched its operations in Kenya.
Keeping in view his expertise in setting up Islamic Banking Operation in various Banks of Pakistan & Kenya, Saudi Business Machine / IBM offered him to develop Business Processes of a new Islamic Bank in Saudi Arabia.
He also has a good expertise in Islamic Financial product structuring & designing / development and guidance to major Islamic Banks in Pakistan. His contribution for the development of Islamic Banking Industry shall be remembered for a long time.
In recognition of his contribution towards Islamic Banking in various countries, DR. Bokhari has been awarded an Honorary "Doctorate in Islamic banking” by the Italian university i.e "The Yorker International University Milan, Italy" and a certificate of award by their Newyork Campus.