"We must work our destiny in our own way and present to the works an economic system based on true Islamic concept of equality of manhood and social justice"Quaid's concept of Islamic Banking [Opening Ceremony of The State Bank of Pakistan on July 1, 1948]
"Establish Islamic banking as banking of choice to facilitate implementation of an equitable economic system, providing a strong foundation for establishing a fair and just society for mankind "Vision, Meezan Bank Limited.
1947
The inception of Pakistan as the first Islamic Republic created in the name of Islam.
1980
CII presents report on the elimination of Interest genuinely considered to be the first major comprehensive work in the world undertaken on Islamic banking and finance.
1985
Commercial banks transformed their nomenclature stating all Rupee Saving Accounts as interest-free. However, foreign currency deposits in Pakistan and foreign loans continued as before.
1991
Procedure adopted by banks in 1985 was declared un-Islamic by the Federal Shariat Court (FSC). The Government and some banks/DFIs made appeals to the Shariat Appellate Bench (SAB) of the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
1997
Al-Meezan Investment Bank is established with a mandate to pursue Islamic Banking. Mr. Irfan Siddiqui appointed as first and founding Chief Executive Officer.
1999
The Shariat Appellate Bench of the Supreme Court of Pakistan rejects the appeals and directs all laws on interest banking to cease. The government sets up a high level commission, task forces and committees to institute and promote Islamic banking on parallel basis with conventional system.
2001
The Shariah Supervisory Board is established at Al-Meezan Investment Bank led by Justice (Retd.) Muhammad Taqi Usmani as chairman. State Bank of Pakistan sets criteria for establishment of Islamic commercial banks in private sector and subsidiaries and stand-alone branches by existing commercial banks to conduct Islamic banking in the country.
2002
Meezan Bank acquires the Pakistan operations of Society General and concurrently Al Meezan Investment Bank converts itself into a full fledged Islamic commercial bank. The first Islamic banking license
is issued to the Bank and it is renamed Meezan Bank. President General Pervez Musharraf inaugurates the new Islamic Commercial Bank at a formal ceremony in Karachi.
2003
Meezan Bank establishes itself as the pioneer of Islamic Banking in Pakistan and quickly establishes branches in all major cities of the country. A wide range of products are developed and launched consolidating the Bank's position as the premier Islamic Bank of the country Al Meezan Investment Management Limited (AMIM), the asset management arm of Meezan Bank, introduces Meezan Islamic Fund (MIF), the country's first open-end Islamic Mutual Fund.
2004
The State Bank establishes a dedicated Islamic Banking Department (IBD) by merging the Islamic Economics Division of the Research Department with the Islamic Banking Division of the Banking Policy Department. A Shariah Board has been appointed to regulate and approve guidelines for the emerging Islamic Banking industry. The Government of Pakistan awards the mandate for debut of international Sukuk (Bond) offering for USD 500 million. The offering is a success and establishes a benchmark for Pakistan. Meezan Bank acts as the Shariah Structuring Advisor for this historic transaction.
2005
Meezan Bank becomes the first customer of Islamic Insurance (Takaful) by signing the first Memorandum of Understanding MoU with Pak-Kuwait Takaful Company Limited (PKTCL). The signing of this MoU has ushered Pakistan into a new era of Islamic Insurance (Takaful).
2006
A number of new dedicated Islamic Banks, namely Bank Islamic and Dubai Islamic Bank, commence operations in Pakistan. Meezan continues its leadership position in the industry by more than doubling it branch network to a total of 62 branches in 21 cities, clearly establishing itself as the largest Islamic Bank of the country. Meezan Bank becomes the first Islamic bank to introduce 8 am to 8 pm banking at selected branches in Karachi.
2007
Meezan Bank opens up its 100th branch. Two new dedicated Islamic Banks start operations in Pakistan, namely Emirates Global Islamic Bank and Dawood Islamic Bank.
2008
With 166 Branches (including 35 sub-branches) in 40 cities across Pakistan, Meezan Bank is clearly positioned as the leading Islamic Bank in the country. Work starts on the construction of Meezan Bank's new Head Office building. The financing and investment portfolio of local Islamic banks reached Rs. 185 billion in December 2008 compared to Rs. 137.6 billion in December 2007. Market share in the overall banking increased to five per cent at end December 2008 compared with four per cent at end December 2007. Total assets of Islamic banking reached Rs. 271.1 billion in December 2008 compared to Rs. 205.2 billion in December 2007.
