Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) and Sindh Bank have taken a major step toward digital innovation by signing an agreement to deploy Software-Defined Wide Area Network (SD-WAN) technology across 330 Sindh Bank branches nationwide. This collaboration marks a significant milestone in Pakistan’s growing shift toward secure, reliable, and efficient digital banking solutions.
What is SD-WAN and Why It Matters
SD-WAN is a cutting-edge technology that allows organizations to manage their internet and network connections across various locations using software rather than relying solely on traditional hardware. It significantly boosts data transfer speed, enhances security, and reduces operational costs—all while providing greater flexibility and control over network traffic. This is especially crucial for banks operating across multiple regions where connectivity, performance, and security are key to delivering seamless financial services.
Signing Ceremony: Leadership from Both Sides Unite
The agreement was formally signed by Syed Assad Ali Shah, Deputy CEO of Sindh Bank, and Asif Ahmad, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL & Ufone 4G, during a special ceremony at Sindh Bank’s Head Office in Karachi. The event was attended by top leadership including Muhammad Anwaar Sheikh, President & CEO of Sindh Bank, and key officials such as:
- Basharat Qureshi, Group VP Enterprise, PTCL
- Sayyed Imran Bukhari, Group VP B2B Strategy, PTCL
- Umar Farooqi, Group Director Enterprise, PTCL
- Adnan Siddiqui, CIO, Sindh Bank
- Dilshad Hussain, CFO, Sindh Bank
- Syed Zeeshan ul Haq, Head of Infrastructure, Sindh Bank
Their presence underscored the importance of this strategic partnership and its role in accelerating Pakistan’s digital transformation, particularly in the banking sector.
PTCL: Leading the Digital Charge
During the signing, Asif Ahmad expressed his confidence in the collaboration, stating:
We are pleased to sign this agreement with Sindh Bank to support them in fulfilling their business needs. PTCL, being a national company, is leading the digitalization effort across the country. Through such partnerships, PTCL continues to play its key role in the development of telecom infrastructure by providing innovative and secure solutions to the corporate sector that will further contribute towards the overall economic growth of the country.
This initiative aligns with PTCL’s long-term vision to digitize Pakistan’s core sectors by delivering next-generation infrastructure and managed security services, critical for large-scale financial institutions like Sindh Bank.
Sindh Bank’s Digital Vision
Echoing the sentiment, Muhammad Anwaar Sheikh, President & CEO of Sindh Bank, shared his perspective:
We are pleased to sign this agreement with PTCL as our trusted partner for infrastructure platform solutions as a part of the Bank’s focus on adopting state-of-the-art and secure technology solutions for connectivity and digitalization. This partnership signifies a transformative step forward in the Bank’s approach to infrastructure, platforms, and data management.
He further emphasized that by leveraging PTCL’s advanced telecom expertise, Sindh Bank aims to improve its operational efficiency, enhance security and data protection, and accelerate the launch of new services for customers. The ultimate goal is to offer a digitally empowered financial lifestyle to its growing customer base across Pakistan.
A Strategic Move for Pakistan’s Digital Banking Ecosystem
This agreement between PTCL and Sindh Bank goes beyond just a technology deployment. It is a strategic investment in Pakistan’s future digital banking ecosystem. The implementation of SD-WAN will not only streamline Sindh Bank’s internal operations but will also improve customer service delivery across all its branches, making banking faster, more secure, and more accessible.
Furthermore, the partnership signals a broader movement toward smart banking, where technology plays a central role in ensuring business continuity, customer satisfaction, and financial inclusion.
A Win for Digital Pakistan
As both organizations reaffirmed their commitment to delivering best-in-class services, this alliance is expected to set a benchmark for future public-private partnerships in the ICT and financial sectors. The SD-WAN deployment across 330 branches will be instrumental in creating a resilient, scalable, and digitally secure network infrastructure for Sindh Bank.
In a rapidly evolving digital world, PTCL and Sindh Bank are paving the way for a smarter, more connected, and tech-driven financial future in Pakistan.
