Meezan Bank Strengthens Payment Security with PCI DSS v4.0.1 Certification

Meezan Bank, Pakistan’s first Islamic bank and one of the country’s largest financial institutions, has successfully achieved PCI DSS v4.0.1 certification following a comprehensive assessment conducted by Risk Associates, a globally recognised PCI Qualified Security Assessor (QSA).

The certification reflects the Bank’s continued commitment to safeguarding cardholder data and maintaining robust security controls across its expanding digital and payment ecosystem. It also reflects the Bank’s continued focus on adopting internationally recognised security standards and delivering safe, reliable banking experiences to its customers.

The PCI DSS Certificate of Compliance was formally presented by Dr Aftab Rizvi, Chairman of Risk Associates Group, and Mr Navaid Naqvi, CEO and Country Head of Risk Associates Pakistan, in the presence of Mr Fahd Azam, Chief Information Security Officer at Meezan Bank. Key attendees at the ceremony included Mr Kashif Ali, Head of Business Development at Risk Associates, and Mr Syed Tariq Hassan, Chief Risk Officer at Meezan Bank, along with other senior representatives from both organisations.

Commenting on the achievement, Dr Aftab Rizvi, Chairman, Associates Group, said: “This certification is a strong reflection of Meezan Bank’s proactive approach to payment security and regulatory compliance. As Pakistan’s financial institutions continue to digitise at pace, achievements like this set a benchmark for how security and customer trust must evolve together. We are proud to have supported Meezan Bank through this journey.”

Mr Fahd Azam, Chief Information Security Officer, said: “Achieving PCI DSS v4.0.1 certification reaffirms our commitment to maintaining the highest standards of payment security and data protection for our customers. We are grateful to the Risk Associates team for their professionalism and technical expertise throughout the assessment, and we remain focused on continuously strengthening our security posture.”

Mr Navaid Naqvi, CEO/Country Head of Risk Associates Pakistan, added: “Achieving PCI DSS v4.0.1 compliance demonstrates Meezan Bank’s strong commitment to cybersecurity, governance, and customer data protection. The Bank has shown significant dedication in aligning its security practices with international standards, further strengthening trust in its digital banking services.”

As organisations continue to navigate an evolving threat landscape, initiatives such as PCI DSS compliance play a critical role in protecting sensitive payment data and strengthening the overall security of Pakistan’s financial sector.