IslamicFinance.de

Ethica Institute of Islamic Finance in Dubai interviewed Pakistan-based Akhuwat, a microfinance program that has given loans to over 1 million people, without charging interest. Akhuwat-founder Dr. Muhammad Amjad Saqib explained that they rely on 4 core principles: giving up interest, volunteerism, localization, and empowerment. Akhuwat started a decade ago with a $100 loan, and until now has dispersed $30 million. 99.8% of the loans were paid back in full. Dr. Saqib said that financial institutions began their activities on the basis of doubt, but they started their activities on the basis of trust.

In 2012, Burj Bank’s deposit base grew from Rs.20 billion to Rs.36 billion reflecting a deposit growth of 77pc whereas the total assets grew from Rs.27.6b to Rs.47b reflecting 70pc growth during the year. During the year, the Bank launched and established several products and services such as Carsaaz Auto financing, Home Musharaka, Investment Banking, Islamic Debit MasterCard and an efficient internet banking platform. Morover, the Bank has grown its nationwide branches from 50 to 75.

Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited has reported a year end profit before tax of Rs501 million. Furthermore, a 38 per cent deposit growth was achieved in comparison to 2011, taking total deposits to Rs53.11 billion in 2012. DIBPL’s asset base rose by 32% in contrast to 2011 increasing the asset base to Rs63.5 billion in 2012. The Bank’s investments grew substantially by 65% over the year, taking total investments to Rs21.33 billion.DIBPL opened 25 new branches in 2012, increasing the total branch network to 100 in 35 cities. The Bank added over 20,000 more customers in 2012, taking full customer base to over 100,000.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has cancelled asset management and advisory service licences of Dawood Capital Management Limited (DCML) and slapped a penalty of Rs20 million on its chief executive officer for providing undue benefits to its connected persons and close relatives. Besides, it also imposed another million rupees penalty on the chief financial officer/company secretary. Redemptions were made from collective investment schemes by the connected persons before provisioning and the connected persons, the CEO and her close relatives had averted an imminent loss of Rs18.224 million.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has cancelled the Asset Management Licence of Dawood Capital Management Limited (DCML) and imposed a penalty of Rs20 million on its chief executive officer for providing “undue benefits” to his relatives and connected persons. The commission has also taken action against DCML’s chief financial controller/company secretary. The SECP found that the connected persons had made redemptions from different investment schemes before provisioning, and had averted imminent losses of Rs18.224 million.

The Securities and Exchanges Commission of Pakistan (SECP) revoked the licence of Dawood Capital Management and imposed a Rs20 million fine on its CEO Tara Uzra Dawood for insider trading. The SECP issued its order on Friday, after having conducted a nine-month investigation into the matter. According to the SECP’s findings, Dawood Capital Management had invested in corporate bonds issued by several companies that had defaulted on their obligations to bondholders. Dawood Capital Management said they are reviewing the order and reserve the right to appeal it.

Sheikh Ali Bin Abdullah Thani J. Al-Thani, Chairman of Pak-Qatar Takaful Group, inaugurated the village for Pakistani flood victims on February 27. The Sheikh Thani Bin Abdullah for Humanitarian Services foundation allocated a significant sum for the establishment of the "Doha Village Project". Total area of the village is 11 Acres and total number of beneficiaries is around 1600-2000. It includes 200 residential homes, a school, shops and clean drinking water, among other services.

Pakistan's Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf emphasized the close relations between Bahrain and his country and praised the Gulf Finance House Bahrain for doing well financially. Moreover, he drew the attention of Esam Yousif Janahi, Chairman and Founder of Gulf Finance House, to huge investment potential in Pakistan and expressed the need to invest in energy. He said that there were a good wind corridor, hydel potential and coal reserves. Jahani said that his company was examining the possibility of investing in energy sector in Pakistan. He further said that the investment policies of Pakistan were conducive and attractive for foreign investors because of rewarding returns on investments.

The Pakistan Poverty Alleviation Fund (PPAF) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Telenor Pakistan and Tameer Microfinance Bank (TMB) for extending financial services to poor and un-banked communities. Under the MoU, a pilot project is to be launched to extend financial services to select communities by establishing Easypaisa shops, which will provide services that include bill payments, money transfers, donations, international home transfers, withdrawals and deposits through mobile accounts. One Easypaisa shop will be set up in each PPAF community to cater to their banking needs. Once the pilot project is completed, it will be replicated nationwide, a press release stated.

The seminar titled "Islamic Microfinance - Approaches & Practices: A Case Study of Akhuwat" was held in Pakistan last Wednesday. Various initiatives of Islamic microfinance in Pakistan, their philosophies and methodologies were highlighted in the seminar and the case of Akhuwat Foundation was discussed as a case study. It was also observed that Islamic microfinance was still in its evolution, and speakers therefore gave recommendations for further growth and strengthening the operations of Islamic microfinance institutions.

During the last ten years, Pakistan-based Akhuwat, the world’s first completely interest-free microfinance program, has disbursed $30 million to over 1 million people, without charging any interest. The company now has more than 1,000 regular employees and offices in 105 cities of Pakistan across the country. Their mission is to challenge the interest based system and challenge Islamic finance to evolve out of its current complacency with interest-mimicking products towards products based on the foundational principles of equity, sharing, and gifting and therfore fight poverty.

The Takaful industry is growing but also facing certain challenges which include issues regarding re-Takaful, regulatory challenges, competition and lack of human capital. In order to overcome all these challenges and issues, Al Huda CIBE established a Takaful Consultancy Wing with consultant Captain Jamil Akhtar Khan. Khan has expertise on Takaful regulatory issues, establishment of Takaful companies and other related departments. Takaful Consultancy Wing will be an independent institution which will provide its services to other organizations for the establishment of new Takaful companies, research, advisory, training, re-Takaful, Shariah guidance and other Takaful related matters.

The government of Pakistan raised Rs182 billion through a Sukuk against the security of Jinnah International Airport Karachi for budget financing. The Sukuk operations were launched through the Pakistan Domestic Sukuk Company Limited. However, analysts question the use of Islamic bonds for budget financing and linking the return with treasury bills, saying it is forbidden and against Shariah laws. In the last fiscal year, the government borrowed a total Rs412 billion through Sukuk, enabling it to meet 23.2% of financing needs.

A mass awareness campaign to increase public trust and confidence in Islamic banking, to be led by the Islamic banking industry with the support of State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), is being launched shortly. According to Deputy Governor of SBP Kazi Abdul Muktadir, the Islamic banking industry is still facing many challenges which include low awareness and understanding of public at large about Islamic banking and its distinction over conventional banking. The campaign is expected to lead to further acceleration in the growth of Islamic banking.

Kashf Foundation is one of the biggest specialised non-profit microfinance institutions in Pakistan, providing means for entrepreneurship and sustainable growth opportunities. Its focus has shifted from enterprises to individuals and solutions are customised. There are Rs2.8 billion in outstanding loans and 157 locations across the country where they are serviced. Twenty more locations will be opened this year. Kashf Foundation is planning to bring in Shariah-compliant products as part of its strategy.

BankIslami Pakistan Limited on Tuesday joined the Global Trade Finance Programme, which promotes trade in emerging markets by supporting the flow of goods and services. The programme was established by the International Finance Corporation (IFC), who will support BankIslami’s trade finance business by providing partial or full guarantees for individual trade transactions. Since the trade finance programme’s inception in Pakistan in 2006, IFC has provided more than 3,500 guarantees worth $1.74 billion to financial institutions.

Meezan Bank has become the first bank in Pakistan which offers Shariah-compliant agricultural financing by extending a Shariah-compliant financing facility to the agriculture industry of Pakistan. Adhering to the financial arrangement, the bank will sell DAP, urea, pesticides and seeds to its clients on a Murabaha basis. Expansion of the scope of this facility to other geographical areas is planned. Furthermore, a comprehensive Agricultural Financing Policy and detailed procedural manuals for this initiative has been developed.

Islamic microfinance can bring people above the poverty line as well as enable self-reliance through a regular source of income. According to Muhammad Zubair Mughal, CEO of AlHuda Centre of Islamic Banking and Economics, adopting Islammmic microfinance can rid Muslim countries of poverty. Non-Muslim countries, however, are currently the leaders in this area. The Centre of Excellence on Islamic Microfinance will start operations simultaneously through its partners offices in other countries in order to contribute to the elimination of poverty through Islamic microfinance.

Pakistani ABL Asset Management has announced the establishment of an Islamic equity fund. The fund is expected to tap the growing market of investors who want to make their investments in stocks of Shariah-compliant companies only. In contrast with the current offer of the company - the Islamic Income Fund - the new Islamic equity fund will entail higher levels of risk and return. The date of release is not known yet but according to the company's CEO Farid Ahmed Khan, it will be rather soon.

Job purpose

Senior is responsible for timely completion of assignments according to the specific requirements as described in the scope and objective of proposal / engagement letter of the assignment.

General Roles & Responsibilities:
Ensures compliance with the firm's policies and guidance, and adherence to professional standards.
Executes the planning and management of assignments in an effective and efficient manner.
Ensures engagements are executed in accordance with the firm's methodologies, guidance and professional standards.
Reviews work on a timely basis and in a thorough and constructive manner.