PROFILE OF
MAZHAR ALI BOKHARI
E-Mail: mazhar.bokhari@hotmail.com
 
 

Qualifications

Educational:   

  1. MBA(Finance),            Institute of Business Administration, University of the Punjab, Lahore                               1983-85.
  2. B. Com.           Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore 1981-83.

Professional:  

  1. FCIS,               Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan Karachi- 1994       
  2. DAIBP,           Institute of Bankers in Pakistan, Karachi - 1989.
  3. DCMA,           Hailey College of Commerce, University of the Punjab, Lahore - 1984
  Experience

Head of International operations     (April 27, 2007 todate)
& Strategic Planning Division

GULF AFRICAN BANK LIMITED –                      (To be 100% Shari’ah Compliant

Reporting to the CEO of the Bank                Islamic Bank in Nairobi – Kenya)

 
 

Principal Responsibilities & Accountabilities to:

  1. Set up 100% Shari’ah Compliant Islamic Bank in Nairobi – Kenya
  2. Develop, build and manage a profitable Islamic Banking business, and undertake overall bottom line responsibility for the Bank.
  3. Strategize and implement business plans for the Islamic Banking business.
  4. Develop new Shari’ah Compliant Products and services based on the assessed need of the market.
  5. Supervise Islamic Product Structuring, Islamic Debt & Capital Markets, Private Equity, Islamic Finance & Banking, Consumer / SME & Corporate Banking.
  6. Review and recommend Shari’ah Compliant Credit & Operational Risk Management Policies & Procedures in line with the Central Bank & Basel Committee’s Guidelines.
  7. Evaluate the need for the Islamic banking target market in order to capitalise the business opportunities and adjust marketing strategies to reflect changing conditions.
  8. Develop, recommend and implement marketing strategies and plans consistent with established goals in each product line and service.
  9. Direct, develop and implement in conjunction with Corporate Communications, Advertising and Sales promotion plans and evaluation of the effect of such campaigns. Decides strategies to reach potential customers based on the evaluation.
  10. Ensure timely resolution of operating issues and problems that affect service levels and standards by developing and cultivating professional relationships with regulatory agencies and internal departments.
Evaluate and develop the infrastructure, train staff at different levels to commence the service and products in Islamic Banking across the Branch Network in Kenya
   

Head of Islamic Banking Division (September 14, 2005 - April 25, 2007)

Prime Commercial Bank Limited, Head Office, Lahore - Pakistan

Reporting to President of the Bank
   

Was appointed with the task to establish Islamic Banking Division at Head Office and Islamic Banking Branches Network throughout the country with the objective of getting Bank’s due share in the Islamic Banking business that was growing at a much faster rate. To accomplish this task, have to complete the following preliminary but important jobs:

  • Obtained In-Principle Approval/License from the State Bank of Pakistan (Central Bank of the Country) for setting up of Islamic Banking Division in just 01 month’s time.
  • Obtained License from the State Bank of Pakistan in just 03 months time after meeting all their laid down requirements/formalities to open 1st Islamic Banking Branch at Lahore.
  • Selection of Shari’ah Advisor for IBD
  • Selected premises for Islamic Banking Lahore & Karachi Branches.
  • Hiring of staff for Islamic Banking Branches & Windows planned to be opened subsequently.
  • Framing the Business Development Plan and strategy to achieve the goals set out in the Business Plan for the Islamic Banking Branches.
 

Responsibilities assigned & successfully completed:

  1. Developed, built and managed a profitable Islamic Banking business, and undertook overall bottom line responsibility for the Division.
  2. Strategized and implemented business plans for the Islamic Banking Division.
  3. Developed new Shari’ah Compliant Products and Services based on the assessed need of the market.
  4. Supervised Islamic Product Structuring, Islamic Debt & Capital Markets, Private Equity, Leasing proposals, Project Finance, and the Retail / Consumer, SME & Corporate Banking
  5. Evaluated the need for the Islamic banking target market in order to capitalise the business opportunities and adjusted the marketing strategies to reflect changing conditions.
  6. Developed the Risk Management Guidelines for Islamic Banking keeping in view the Principles of Risk Management as elaborated in the Risk Management Guidelines issued by Central Bank and Basel Committee of Banking Supervision (BCBS).
  7. Managed the Treasury Operations with respect to IBD by identifying & deciding the investment opportunities keeping in view the Risk Management guidelines. Represented IBD in meetings of Asset-Liability Committee (ALCO).
  8. Overall monitoring of Credit and Operational Risks with respect to the Asset Portfolio of the Islamic Banking.
  9. Developed, recommended and implemented marketing strategies and plans consistent with established goals in each product line and service. Constantly endeavours to improve the Bank’s competitive position by review of the plans and policies.
  10. Developed annual operational sales plans in conjunction with Branch Managers based on the overall targets and budgets. Prioritised the overall efforts by service and allocation of resources.
  11. Directed, developed and implemented in conjunction with Corporate Communications, advertising and sales promotion plans and evaluated the effect of such campaigns. Decided strategies to reach potential customers based on the evaluation.
  12. Ensured timely resolution of operating issues and problems that affect service levels and standards by developing & cultivating professional relationships with regulatory agencies and internal departments.
  13. Reviewed and recommended Shari’ah Compliant Operational Policies & Procedures. Implemented the changes in Policies & Procedures to improve the productivity and service levels in the Islamic Banking Division.
 

Member of the State Bank’s Committee for “Developing the Vision of Islamic Banking Industry of Pakistan”.                                       (October 2006 – April 2007)
 

TRAINING

  • Presented a Paper on “Product Development in Islamic Banking” in Certificate Course on “Islamic Banking & Finance” conducted by ‘National Institute of Banking & Finance’ a subsidiary of State Bank of Pakistan.
  • Delivered Lectures on Murabaha Finance and Ijarah Finance in three days specialized course on “Islamic Banking Products” conducted by Al-Huda, Center of Islamic Banking and Islamic Economics at Lahore. Also Chief Guest in the Certificate distribution ceremony.
  • Presented paper on “Diminishing Musharaka” in two days specialized course on “Islamic Banking Products for Housing Finance” conducted by Al-Huda, Center of Islamic Banking and Islamic Economics at Lahore. Also Chief Guest in the Certificate distribution ceremony.
  • Presented papers and delivered lectures on Islamic Banking & Finance at various Plate-forms i.e FPCCI Zonal Office Lahore, Lahore Stock Exchange, International Seminar on Islamic Banking & Finance held in Aiwan-e-Iqbal Lahore.
  • Guest Speaker in a Islamic Banking Seminar in Peshawar arranged by Bank of Khyber Pakistan.
 

Head Of Research & Product Development / Systems & Operations / Shari’ah Monitoring              (August 2003 to September 13, 2005)

Bank Alfalah Limited, Islamic Banking Division – Lahore - Pakistan

Reporting to Head of Islamic Banking Division
 

Responsibilities assigned, and successfully completed, included:

  • Supervised the Preparation of Systems & Procedures for Islamic Banking Division.
  • Supervised the development of various Modules of Islamic Bankers (IT System).
  • Supervised the Preparation of Manuals for the following Islamic Banking products:
  • Murabaha Finance
  • Ijarah Finance
  • Islamic Housing Finance
  • Account Opening Procedures
  • Deposit Certificates Procedures
  • Credit & Investment Policy & Procedures
  • Trade Finance
  • Letter of Guarantees
  • Credit Administration
    • Monitored overall Operations & Shari’ah Compliance of Islamic Banking Branches in the Country.
    • Coordinated with Bank’s Shari’ah Advisor for development of Shari’ah Compliant Products.
    • Guidance provided to the staff of Islamic banking branches in respect of Shari’ah compliance.
    • Obtained Licenses for Islamic Banking Branches from the Central Bank of Pakistan.
  • Ensured timely resolution of operating issues and problems that affect service levels and standards by developing and cultivating professional relationships with regulatory agencies and internal departments.
 

Vice President - Manager Operations / Credit & Marketing
Albaraka Islamic Bank B.S.C. (E.C.), Lahore – Pakistan       (January 1999 to July 2003)
Responsibilities assigned, and successfully completed, included:

  • Supervised the Branch Operations (Customer Services, Trade Finance and Credit & Marketing) Lahore and Faisalabad branches.
  • Generated the fund based as well as non-funded business of the Branch.
  • Supervised Corporate Portfolio of over Rs. 2 billion and Trade Finance business of Rs. 4 billion.
  • Monitored working of Credit, Operations and Trade Services Departments on bank-wide basis.
  • Handled recovery of NPLs and monitored legal proceedings against the defaulters. Supervised the SBP inspection and compliance thereof.
  • Assisted the Regional Office and Karachi, Islamabad & Faisalabad Branches for compliance with the SBP Prudential Regulations.     
  • Marketed the Corporate Customers, analyzed their business requirements and supervised Corporate as well as SME & Consumer Customers.

Branch Manager                             (March to May, 1998 & October to November, 2000)
Albaraka Islamic Bank B.S.C. (E.C.), Lahore

Officiated as Branch Manager for a period of four months, supervised all the departments for conduct branch management & business development.
 

Assistant Vice President / Manager Credit & Marketing
Albaraka Islamic Bank B.S.C. (E.C.) - Lahore.         (July 01, 1994 to December 1998)
Job assignment included:

  • Planned and Designed credit related documents and systems & procedures
  • Supervised team of credit officers in processing of credit proposals.
  • Monitored overall operation and administration of credit portfolio.
  • Appraised/approved the credit proposals of Karachi and Faisalabad Branches being Member/Secretary of Local Credit Committee, up to US$ 300,000/-
  • Handled NPLs for recovery and legal cases.
 

Inspecting Officer                                                                           (March 1988 to June 1994)
State Bank of Pakistan, Lahore.
Job assignment included:

  1. Inspected Scheduled Commercial Banks (Foreign, Nationalized, and Private Commercial Banks) to check their compliance to the rules and regulations (Prudential Regulations) issued by State Bank of Pakistan from time to time relating to Credit, Operations, Capital Adequacy, Deposits, Trade Finance.

Senior Consultant                                                              (March 1986 to March 1988)
United Consultants (Pvt.) Ltd., Lahore
           

  • Assisted Expatriate Consultants in the Industrial Efficiency Improvement and Development Strategy Study conducted by IMG Consultants Australia. Study for the Improvement of Textile Sector, its Marketing System, Cost Structure, per unit cost of Yarn and Cloth in Pakistan (Funded by World Bank).
  • Interviewed the Heads of various sector’s defunct units, to determine the causes of sickness of these units, in Punjab and NWFP for the survey “Capacity Utilization” conducted by Robert R. Nathan Associates Inc. U.S.A. for World Bank.
  • Prepared feasibility reports for various nature industrial projects.

Courses / Workshop attended

  • “1st Pakistan Islamic Banking and Money Market Conference” Sept.14-15, 2005 organized by Ferguson Associates (Pvt) Ltd. and International Islamic Financial Market held in Sheraton Karachi.
  • “Legal issues in Islamic Financial Services Industry” organized by IFSB and Federal Reserve Bank of New York USA in March 01-02, 2005 in Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Kuwait.
  • “Islamic Banking – Issues and Challenges” organized by Institute of Bankers in Pakistan. Lecture delivered by Dr. Hamayun Dar on February 3, 2005 in Pearl Continental Hotel Lahore.
  • Short Certificate Course on “Islamic Banking and Finance” organized by Bank Alfalah Islamic Banking Division in collaboration with Centre for Islamic Economics (CIE) on June 05-06, 2004 in Holiday Inn, Lahore.
  • “Effective Checks on Money Laundering” Course organized by Institute of Bankers in Pakistan in Hotel Dynasty Faisalabad, May 22, 2002.
  • “Islamic Banking in Pakistan” Course organized by Dar-ul-Aloom, Karachi at Holiday-Inn, Lahore August 13 - 14, 2000.
  • “Credit Management in Banks” Course organized by Institute of Bankers in Pakistan at Pearl Continental Hotel, Lahore, July 30 to August 02, 1995.
  • “Competitive Marketing Strategy” Work shop organized by Institute of Bankers in Pakistan at Avari Hotel, Lahore, May 24, 1995.
  • “Principles of Islamic Banking” Course organized by Albaraka Islamic Investment Bank of Bahrain at Avari Hotel, Lahore, April 29 to May 1, 1995.

Professional Affiliation

1994-Present: Fellow Member, Institute of Corporate Secretaries of Pakistan, Karachi.  (FCIS)
1989-Present: Diplomaed Associate Member of Institute of Bankers in Pakistan, Karachi. (BAIBP)

Personal Data

Father’s Name  :           Muhammad Ali Shah Bokhari
Date of Birth     :           July 29, 1960
Marital Status    :           Married with three children
 
 
 
 
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