NIBAF Pakistan hosted an exclusive interactive session with Jameel Ahmad, Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, at its Islamabad Campus, bringing together senior central bank leadership and officers participating in the State Bank Officers Training Scheme SBOTS-28 and Cyber Risk Officers Scheme CROS-1. The session was held on August 6, 2026, and provided participating officers with an opportunity to engage directly with the Governor and gain strategic insights into developments affecting Pakistan’s financial sector.
Jameel Ahmad attended the session alongside Lubna Farooq Malik, CEO of NIBAF Pakistan. The interactive engagement was organised for officers who are undergoing professional development through the SBOTS-28 and CROS-1 programmes. The participating batches represent future leaders and cyber risk specialists within the central banking system, making the session an opportunity to connect their professional training with broader developments in central banking, technology and financial sector governance.
During the session, the Governor highlighted the importance of continuous capacity building in preparing officers to respond effectively to the changing requirements of the financial sector. He also emphasised ethical leadership as an important element of professional development and institutional effectiveness. The discussion placed particular attention on the responsibilities of emerging central banking professionals as they prepare to contribute to Pakistan’s financial system. Digital transformation was another key area highlighted during the interactive session. As technology continues to influence financial services and central banking operations, officers need to understand the opportunities as well as the governance requirements associated with digital transformation. The session provided participants with insights into the importance of developing capabilities that can support the financial sector as it adopts new technologies and modern approaches to operations.
Cyber risk resilience also featured prominently in the discussion, particularly given the participation of officers from the Cyber Risk Officers Scheme CROS-1. The growing use of technology across financial institutions has increased the importance of effective cyber risk management and modern IT governance. The session highlighted the role that trained cyber risk professionals can play in strengthening the resilience of Pakistan’s financial sector against emerging technology and cybersecurity challenges. The engagement also covered broader issues related to emerging economic challenges and central banking policies. By interacting directly with senior leadership, participating officers were able to gain a better understanding of the strategic considerations involved in central banking and the wider economic environment. The discussion connected professional training with the practical responsibilities that officers will face as they progress within the central bank.
The presence of the SBOTS-28 and CROS-1 participants also underlined the importance of preparing the next generation of professionals within the State Bank of Pakistan. While SBOTS focuses on developing officers for careers within the central bank, CROS provides specialised exposure to cyber risk responsibilities. Bringing both groups together for an interactive session created an opportunity to discuss leadership, technology, risk management and central banking from a broader perspective.
NIBAF Pakistan’s role in hosting the session reflects the importance of capacity building and professional development within Pakistan’s financial sector. Training institutions such as NIBAF provide platforms where officers can develop technical and leadership capabilities while gaining exposure to senior policymakers and financial sector leadership. Direct interaction with the Governor can further help participants understand how policy decisions, economic developments and technology related risks affect the financial system. The session at the Islamabad Campus ultimately focused on preparing officers to meet the evolving requirements of central banking and financial sector governance. Through discussions around continuous learning, ethical leadership, digital transformation and cyber risk resilience, the engagement provided participating officers with strategic perspectives that can support their professional development and future responsibilities within the State Bank of Pakistan.
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