Management Committee

Now operating as Halan Microfinance Bank, we continue our dedication to providing trusted financial services. Previously known as Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank, we are evolving to better serve our clients and expand our reach with innovative, customer-focused solutions.

Christos Argyriou

Chief Executive Officer of Halan Microfinance Bank

Christos Argyriou is the Chief Executive Officer of Halan Microfinance Bank, where he is responsible for overseeing operations in Pakistan. With a strong background in investment management, he previously played a pivotal role at Qalaa Holding, contributing to the development and management of key investments. Notable projects include The Egyptian Refining Company, a USD 4.3 billion refining initiative in Cairo—Africa’s largest private equity project finance transaction—and Taqa Arabia, Egypt’s leading private sector utility company focusing on natural gas, electricity, and the downstream distribution of refined products. Christos holds a Bachelor of Business Administration in Finance from the American University in Cairo.

Rao Muhammad Qaisar

Chief Operations Officer

Rao Muhammad Qaisar brings over 23 years of extensive experience in business development, branch profitability, deposit growth, productive lending, recovery and collections, digital transformation, and managing nationwide sales and distribution networks. Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership roles at some of Pakistan’s most prominent financial institutions, including NRSP, Khushhali Microfinance Bank, Kashf Microfinance Bank, FINCA Microfinance Bank, and Telenor Microfinance Bank, where he successfully led nationwide retail operations.

Rao is renowned for his ability to cultivate a collaborative, high-performance culture that aligns teams with the organization’s long-term vision. His strategic mindset, coupled with his pragmatic execution, has been instrumental in driving sustainable growth and operational excellence.

A strong advocate of governance, internal controls, and innovation, Rao is committed to fostering a workplace culture rooted in mutual respect, diversity, and inclusion. He believes in building a high-value performance culture that celebrates achievements, recognizes talent, and embraces challenges.

Kaleem Raza

Chief Investment & Corporate Strategy Officer

Kaleem Raza brings forth more than two decades of extensive experience in financial management and budgeting across various sectors. His expertise centers on fostering financial progress through strategic planning and cost-effective initiatives. Previously, he excelled as the Chief Financial Officer at Halan Wallet Pvt. Ltd. and as the Head of Planning and Budgeting at Khushhali Microfinance Bank. Kaleem is recognized for his role as a trusted strategic advisor to senior executives, providing valuable insights into the financial ramifications of key decisions. With a robust background in managerial positions, he has exhibited exemplary leadership in finance and accounting through the formulation of financial strategies, business plans, budgets, and the establishment of financial policies and controls.

Syed Haris Ali

Chief Risk Officer

Syed Haris Ali serves as the Chief Risk Officer of the Bank, leading the enterprise-wide Risk Management function to ensure institutional resilience, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth. With extensive experience spanning in Consumer Risk Management, Commercial Risk, Remedial Management, Process Re-Engineering, Product and Policy Management, he plays a critical role in safeguarding the Bank’s financial strength and reputation.

Mr. Haris held senior leadership roles within the Microfinance sector, where he designed and implemented enterprise-wide risk frameworks. He brings a diverse and unique blend of experience across international and local Commercial Banks, Microfinance Banks, and NBFCs, including Standard Chartered Bank, HBL Microfinance Bank, FINCA Microfinance Bank, Orix Leasing, and Modaraba. He possesses a deep understanding of financial institutions’ business models and has successfully established and strengthened Risk Management functions across multiple organizations. He is widely regarded as a change agent, known for driving transformation through process re-engineering, innovation, and disciplined execution.

Renowned for his strong and disciplined leadership style, Mr. Haris is recognized for fostering accountability, building high-performing teams, and navigating complex and evolving business environments with clarity and effectiveness.

Mr. Haris holds internationally recognized certifications in Credit Management, including CSA from Omega Performance (USA), and is an alumnus of Harvard University’s General Management & Leadership Program, reflecting his continued commitment to leadership excellence and professional development.

Sania Kazi

Chief Financial Officer

Sania Kazi is an accomplished finance executive with over 20 years of diversified experience spanning audit, manufacturing, microfinance banking, and non-banking financial institutions (NBFIs/NBFCs). As Chief Financial Officer of Halan Microfinance Bank, she brings strong expertise in financial strategy, corporate governance, business transformation, and operational leadership, with a consistent track record of driving financial performance and sustainable growth.

Throughout her career, Sania has held senior finance and leadership roles at globally and locally recognized organizations, including Ernst & Young, Berger Paints Pakistan Limited, Advans Pakistan Microfinance Bank, and Tez Financial Services Limited. Her extensive experience covers financial planning and analysis, treasury and liquidity management, regulatory reporting, taxation, budgeting and forecasting, strengthening the internal controls, and engagement with regulators, auditors, investors, and board-level stakeholders. She possesses deep knowledge of the regulatory and operational frameworks within financial institutions and has successfully contributed to organizations through periods of growth, transformation, and operational scaling.

At Halan Microfinance Bank, Sania is leading initiatives focused on strengthening financial and operational governance, improving profitability, enhancing cost efficiencies, and supporting the bank’s long-term strategic objectives. In addition, she is spearheading the transformation and automation of financial systems and processes to improve scalability, transparency, reporting accuracy, and decision-making capabilities across the organization. Known for her strategic mindset and collaborative leadership style, Sania has successfully built and led high-performing finance teams, implemented robust financial controls, and aligned financial management practices with broader business objectives to support sustainable institutional growth.

Danish Ahmed

Chief Digital Officer

Danish Ahmed, is a visionary digital banking and technology leader with over two decades of experience driving innovation, transformation, and financial inclusion across the banking, fintech, and technology sectors. He has a proven track record of delivering scalable, customer-centric platforms and leading high-impact digital initiatives.Danish has been instrumental in shaping Pakistan’s digital financial services landscape. He played a pioneering role in the launch of Easypaisa, the country’s first branchless banking platform, and subsequently led the development and rollout of other branchless banking initiatives, including Mobile Paisa and MeezanUpaisa. His leadership spans senior roles at Telenor Microfinance Bank (Former Tameer Microfinance Bank), Monet, Meezan Bank, and TPL Rupiya, where he directed strategic programs across alternate delivery channels, digital payments, card issuance, and core financial infrastructure. He previously founded Diginc Technologies, where he oversaw business strategy and the development of fintech-driven solutions focused on inclusion, agility, and digital transformation

As Chief Digital Officer at Halan Microfinance Bank, Danish leads the Bank’s digital strategy, driving innovation, expanding digital channels, and enhancing customer experience through next-generation digital platforms. He oversees the development of integrated digital ecosystems that leverage emerging technologies to deliver accessible, secure, and inclusive financial services.

Irfan Ali

Business Head

Irfan Ali serves as the Business Head at Halan Microfinance Bank, leveraging over 22 years of extensive experience in the microfinance sector. An MBA graduate, Irfan is a visionary leader recognized for his commitment to driving financial inclusion and fostering inclusive economic growth.

Throughout his career, Irfan has championed key initiatives in gender equity, rural banking, strategic planning, and capacity development. He has held pivotal leadership positions at Sindh Microfinance Bank, Telenor Microfinance Bank and ASA Pakistan Ltd, excelling in business expansion, product innovation, and building strategic alliances.

Under Irfan’s leadership, Halan Microfinance Bank continues to empower marginalized communities through innovative microfinance solutions, delivering a lasting social and economic impact.

Nazia Matin

Head of Human Resources

Nazia Matin, an accomplished HR professional with over 19 years of experience, serves as the Head of Human Resources at Halan Microfinance Bank. Known for her visionary leadership, she has successfully driven initiatives in talent acquisition, diversity & inclusion, employee relations, and HR analytics.

Nazia’s journey includes impactful roles at Dubai Islamic Bank, Bank Islami, and Takaful Bazaar, where she developed strategies that enhanced employee engagement and performance recognition. A three-time awardee of the “Most Influential Woman in Islamic Banking and Finance,” she is committed to building inclusive workplaces and fostering organizational growth.

An MBA graduate from SZABIST, Nazia shares her expertise as a guest speaker at academic institutions and a trainer on key HR topics, such as gender sensitization and workplace ethics. Her dedication to excellence aligns with Halan’s vision of creating a thriving workplace for all.

Junaid Siddiqui

Head Information Technology

Junaid Siddiqui is a seasoned IT professional boasting over 17 years of diverse experience within distinguished organizations. Armed with a foundation in Computer Science, Junaid has honed his expertise in branchless banking and digital banking, demonstrating proficiency in deploying new applications and overseeing business management initiatives. His competencies encompass IT infrastructure, system integrations, and digital evolution, instrumental in propelling organizational technological advancement and operational efficiency.

Zubair Hafeez

Head Internal Audit

Zubair Hafeez boasts an extensive background spanning more than two decades encompassing Finance, Compliance, Internal Audit, Risk Management, and Fraud Investigations. His impactful involvement in the microfinance domain across Pakistan and the Middle East underscores his proficiency in upholding regulatory standards and fortifying internal controls. Holding membership with ACCA UK and possessing a commerce-related academic foundation, Zubair adeptly merges theoretical acumen with hands-on practice to uphold pinnacle levels of audit and compliance within the organizational framework.

Babur Raza

Head of Security

Babur Raza’s career began with his service in the Pakistan Army from 1982 to 2009, where he held key positions within the Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI), Military Intelligence, and the Strategic Plans Division. Following his retirement, Babur transitioned into a leadership role as the Chief Coordination Officer at CBC/DHA, where he contributed to significant organizational initiatives. In 2015, he entered the banking sector with Habib Metro Bank, bringing his strategic acumen to the financial industry. In 2023, Babur joined Halan Microfinance Bank, where his extensive experience and leadership continue to make a profound impact.

Karim Nahas

Unit Head Business Excellence & Transformation

Karim El Nahas has over 20 years of experience in the Egyptian Stock Market, where he has held key leadership roles, including Head of Brokerage at Capital Brokerage, Sigma Brokerage, and Pioneer Brokerage. Since joining MNT Halan in 2021, Karim has driven significant growth as the E-commerce Owner and Head of the Rickshaw Industry. Currently, as the Unit Head Business Excellence & Transformationat Halan Microfinance Bank, he leverages his expertise in personnel management, performance management, sales, and succession planning to deliver strategic results. Karim’s comprehensive experience and leadership continue to be invaluable assets to the organization.

Tariq Qureshi

Head of Legal

Tariq Qureshi brings over 25 years of extensive experience in litigation, corporate affairs, and governance. His career includes senior leadership roles at prestigious corporate institutions such as Pakistan Stock Exchange and the National Accountability Bureau, where he played a key role in overseeing legal and regulatory frameworks.

Tariq holds an LL.M. and LL.B. from Sindh Muslim Law College and a Bachelor of Commerce from Sindh Muslim Commerce College, Karachi. His strong academic foundation, combined with decades of professional excellence, equips him with deep insights into corporate governance, compliance, and regulatory affairs.

At Halan Microfinance Bank, Tariq leads the Legal and Governance function, ensuring that the Bank’s operations remain firmly aligned with regulatory standards while safeguarding its legal and governance interests.

Fahd Hameed

Head of Admin

Fahd Hameed is a seasoned professional with over 20 years of diverse cross-industry experience spanning energy, food services, retail, exports, and large-scale operations management. He brings strong expertise in organizational transformation, operational governance, and strategic execution, with a consistent track record of leading complex, multi-functional environments.

Throughout his career, he has held senior leadership positions across Pakistan’s competitive business landscape, where he has been responsible for managing nationwide operations, driving business expansion, and leading cross-functional transformation initiatives. His experience also includes close collaboration with global principals, regulatory authorities, and government institutions, supporting both strategic and operational decision-making.

He currently serves as Head of Administration at Halan Microfinance Bank, as well as the Chief of Staff to the President of the Bank. He oversees administrative functions and ensures efficient, compliant, and well-structured operational support across the organization.

Fahd is recognized for his structured approach to problem-solving, strong analytical ability, and focus on execution excellence. He is committed to strengthening operational efficiency, governance, and organizational effectiveness to support the Bank’s continued growth.