In a significant move toward strengthening Pakistan’s digital banking ecosystem, Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL) has signed an agreement with Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Limited for the provision of primary Data Center colocation services. Under this partnership, PTCL will host Al Baraka Bank’s critical IT infrastructure at its Tier-III certified Data Center, delivering secure, reliable, and high-performance hosting solutions.
This collaboration marks a pivotal milestone in Al Baraka Bank’s broader technology transformation strategy, aimed at delivering secure, scalable, and digitally empowered financial services to customers across Pakistan.
Agreement Signing Ceremony in Karachi
The agreement was officially signed during a high-level ceremony held at Al Baraka Bank’s Head Office in Karachi. The document was signed by Asif Ahmad, Group Chief Business Solutions Officer at PTCL and Ufone 4G, and Muhammad Atif Hanif, Chief Executive Officer of Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Limited.
The event was attended by senior leadership from both organizations, including:
- Shahid Sumar, Chief Information Officer, Al Baraka Bank
- Syed Muhammad Saqib, Head of IT Infrastructure, Al Baraka Bank
- Basharat Qureshi, Group Vice President Enterprise, PTCL & Ufone 4G
- Sayyed Imran Bukhari, Group VP B2B Strategy, PTCL & Ufone 4G
- Saleem Ullah Baig, Group VP Data Center Operations, PTCL & Ufone 4G
- Umar Farooqi, Group Director Enterprise, PTCL
Other key officials and team members from both organizations were also present to witness the formalization of this strategic alliance.
Empowering Digital Banking Through Reliable Infrastructure
As part of the agreement, PTCL will provide colocation services, backed by state-of-the-art infrastructure, managed security, and platform solutions that comply with global standards for reliability and efficiency. The PTCL Tier-III Data Center offers 24/7 operations, redundancy, disaster recovery capabilities, and physical and cybersecurity protocols, ensuring maximum uptime and data integrity for its clients.
Speaking on the occasion, Asif Ahmad expressed his enthusiasm about the collaboration:
We are pleased to enter a partnership with Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Limited to support them in their information technology and digital transformation journey. As the national carrier, PTCL is committed to delivering innovative technology solutions to help Pakistan’s leading institutions drive the national digital agenda forward.
Enabling Al Baraka’s Vision of a Digitally Empowered Bank
For Al Baraka Bank, this partnership represents a forward-thinking step toward improving their operational efficiency, enhancing data security, and modernizing their IT ecosystem.
Muhammad Atif Hanif, CEO of Al Baraka Bank Pakistan Limited, commented:
We are excited to collaborate with PTCL as our trusted partner for Data Center services. This is a vital part of our broader strategy to adopt next-generation infrastructure that supports a seamless and secure banking experience. By leveraging PTCL’s capabilities, we aim to reduce time-to-market, ensure data resiliency, and provide our customers with technology-enabled financial services.
He further noted that the partnership will play a crucial role in enhancing the bank’s agility, improving platform management, and supporting digital innovation in the rapidly evolving financial services industry.
PTCL’s Role in Digital Transformation
PTCL continues to establish itself as a leading enabler of digital transformation across various sectors in Pakistan. From telecom and enterprise connectivity to cloud and cybersecurity solutions, PTCL has become a key player in helping businesses modernize and grow.
This agreement with Al Baraka Bank highlights the increasing demand for secure and scalable Data Center services, particularly in the financial sector, where data privacy, uptime, and regulatory compliance are critical.
The partnership aligns with the government’s broader objectives of building a robust digital financial infrastructure, fostering innovation in fintech, and supporting the country’s transition to a cashless, tech-savvy economy.
As Pakistan continues to embrace the digital economy, strategic collaborations like the one between PTCL and Al Baraka Bank are setting benchmarks for others in the industry. This partnership will not only strengthen Al Baraka’s internal operations but will also benefit customers by delivering faster, safer, and more reliable digital banking services.
PTCL remains committed to expanding its Data Center footprint and offering cutting-edge ICT solutions that support national progress, enterprise growth, and financial inclusion.
