Constant rise in Islamic Finance set to grow.

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Interview with Mr. Faizan Saleem - Head of Shariah Compliant Income Portfolios Al Meezan Investment Management Limited

Profile:

Mr Faizan Saleem is a highly accomplished portfolio manager who has achieved over 15 years of success in investment advisory and portfolio management. He has extensive knowledge in managing both conventional and Shariah Compliant Income and money markets portfolios. Currently, Mr. Saleem holds the position of Head of Shariah Compliant Income Portfolios at Al-Meezan Investments, where he is also a member of the Investment and Leadership Committees. In his current role, he manages the company's fixed-income portfolios, which account for almost 87% of the total assets under management in various categories.

Mr. Saleem is actively involved in various aspects of the business, such as developing business strategies, creating new products, building portfolios, and trading various money market and fixed-income securities. Prior to joining Al-Meezan Investments in 2019, he served as the Head of the Fixed Income department for organizations like HBL Asset Management and ABL Asset Management Co. Limited. He also has experience working as a core member of the investment team for companies like UBL Fund Manager and Akhai Capital Management Limited.

PAGE: Since the inception of the Islamic Finance industry in the 1970s, there has been steady growth in the demand for Shariah-compliant products and services. What is your perspective about it?

Faizan Saleem: It is true that since the inception of the Islamic Finance industry, there has been a significant increase in the demand for Shariah-compliant financial products and services. The growth of Islamic finance can be attributed to several factors, including the increasing number of Muslims worldwide, who seek financial solutions that align with their faith and values. Furthermore, the industry has gained more prominence due to the stability it has shown in the face of financial crises and economic downturns.

The principles of Islamic finance, which prohibit interest, excessive speculation and promote ethical investing, have helped to mitigate the risk of financial instability. In addition, governments and financial institutions worldwide have recognized the potential of the Islamic finance industry and have taken steps to...