In a major leadership development, Jazz has appointed Zaheer Mehdi as Group Head of Corporate and Regulatory Affairs, effective June 16, 2025. This appointment comes at a pivotal time as Jazz deepens its transformation into a multi-vertical digital services powerhouse, expanding beyond traditional telecom into fintech, entertainment, cloud computing, and more.
In his new role, Zaheer will also provide governance oversight across Jazz’s financial services subsidiaries — Mobilink Bank and JazzCash — further reinforcing the company’s commitment to robust institutional governance and strategic foresight.
A Seasoned Leader with Decades of Experience
Zaheer Mehdi brings with him over 30 years of experience in corporate banking, regulatory affairs, public policy, and financial services. His impressive track record reflects a deep understanding of navigating complex regulatory environments, forging institutional partnerships, and shaping effective corporate strategies.
Prior to joining Jazz, Zaheer held the role of Chief Government and Corporate Relations Officer at Engro Corporation, where he led the company’s regulatory and public policy agenda and was a core member of the Executive Committee. He has also held multiple senior leadership positions at Standard Chartered, including CEO of Standard Chartered Modaraba and Managing Director at Standard Chartered Bank, where he worked closely with regulators, policymakers, and key industry stakeholders.
Zaheer’s cross-industry expertise is expected to be instrumental as Jazz continues to navigate the evolving digital ecosystem in Pakistan. His appointment marks a significant move towards reinforcing Jazz’s strategic alignment with public policy and regulatory bodies — a crucial factor in sustaining long-term growth and innovation.
Strategic Shift & Leadership Realignment
As part of this leadership transition, Syed Fakhar Ahmed, who has successfully led the Corporate and Regulatory Affairs function, will now move into a new role as Advisor, Special Initiatives.
Fakhar has been a cornerstone of Jazz’s external engagement strategy, leading the company through critical moments in recent history, including the COVID-19 pandemic, 2022 floods, and shifts in geopolitical and regulatory environments. His steady hand and strategic acumen have ensured that Jazz remained a credible and impactful voice in national conversations, consistently supporting government efforts and public interest initiatives.
A Vision for the Future
Welcoming Zaheer to the leadership team, Aamir Ibrahim, CEO of Jazz and Chairman of Mobilink Bank, said:
Zaheer’s appointment reflects our commitment to strengthening institutional relationships and regulatory alignment as we evolve into a multi-vertical ServiceCo. His cross-industry experience and deep understanding of policy and governance will be key to our next chapter. I would also like to thank Fakhar for his steady leadership and the impact he’s made in advancing Jazz’s external engagement agenda.
This leadership realignment is more than just a personnel change — it symbolizes Jazz’s broader transformation. The company is rapidly evolving from a leading telecom provider to Pakistan’s most comprehensive ServiceCo, delivering integrated digital solutions across a range of industries.
Today, Jazz serves over 100 million users through a diverse portfolio of platforms:
- JazzCash – Pakistan’s leading fintech platform
- Tamasha – On-demand digital entertainment
- SIMOSA – A digital self-care application
- FikrFree – A rising insurtech platform
- Garaj – A cutting-edge cloud service provider
- GameNow – A dedicated gaming platform
This transition reflects a strategic shift from connectivity to capability, empowering millions through technology-driven platforms designed to improve lives and livelihoods across the country.
With Zaheer Mehdi on board, Jazz is poised to further enhance its institutional credibility, deepen regulatory alignment, and accelerate its innovation agenda. His appointment comes at a time when public-private partnerships and policy collaboration are more crucial than ever for Pakistan’s digital future.
As Jazz pushes forward with its mission to build a digitally inclusive Pakistan, strong leadership at the intersection of policy, technology, and governance will be key — and Zaheer’s arrival is a significant step in that direction.
