Shariah Scholar – ZTBL 2026
Original Job Description
QUICK FACTS
- Organization: Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL)
- Job Title(s): 1. Shariah Scholar (OG-I / AVP-I / AVP) 2. Shariah Scholar / Product and Policy Management (OG-I / AVP-I / AVP)
- Location: Islamabad, Pakistan (Head Office)
- Number of Posts: 2 (one per position)
- BPS / Pay Scale: OG-I / AVP-I / AVP (as stated in source advertisement)
- Age Limit: Maximum 45 years as on closing date
- Education Required: Shahadat ul Aalamiyyah (Dars e Nizami) or equivalent from a recognized Board of Madaris plus a Bachelor’s Degree (non-Madaris); OR Post Graduate Degree in Kuliyyatush Shariah or Kuliyyah Usooluddin, or LLM (Shariah) or equivalent from a recognized university
- Experience Required: Minimum 4 years of giving Shariah rulings including Takhassus fil Ifta period; OR minimum 5 years post-qualification experience in teaching or Research and Development in Islamic Banking and Finance
- Application Deadline: 10 May 2026
- Application Method: Online only via https://www.ztbl.com.pk/jobs
- Advertisement No: PID (I) 8656-0/25
- Published Date: 26 April 2026
- Source: Daily Jang, 26 April 2026
ZTBL, described in the advertisement as an AAA-rated specialized financial institution with over 500 branches nationwide, has opened two Shariah Scholar positions at its Islamabad head office. These roles sit at OG-I to AVP grade and are open to applicants with recognized Islamic jurisprudence qualifications backed by practical experience. The online application window closes on 10 May 2026, and late submissions will not be considered.
JOB OVERVIEW
Both positions are placed within ZTBL’s Shariah compliance function. The first is a general Shariah Scholar role, and the second is focused specifically on Product and Policy Management. Both carry the same grade range of OG-I to AVP-I to AVP, and both require the same core qualifications and experience as stated in the advertisement.
The responsibilities described in the advertisement include reviewing product proposals, agreements, contracts, manuals, and process flows before forwarding them to the Shariah Board. The role also involves research and analysis on Shariah matters under State Bank of Pakistan guidance, preparing responses to Shariah-related client queries, and ensuring compliance with corrective actions issued by the Shariah Board and SBP’s Shariah Compliance Inspection Reports. The advertisement also notes that any other task assigned by management falls within scope.
ZTBL states it is an equal opportunity employer and specifically encourages applications from women and persons with disabilities. Shariah scholars from all schools of thought are also explicitly welcomed.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Education: Option A: Shahadat ul Aalamiyyah (Dars e Nizami) or a similar degree from any recognized institution or Board of Madaris, combined with a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university that is separate from the Madaris degree. Option B: Post Graduate Degree in Kuliyyatush Shariah or Kuliyyah Usooluddin, or LLM (Shariah), or an equivalent degree from any recognized university.
Age: Maximum 45 years as on the closing date of application.
Experience: At least 4 years of experience in giving Shariah rulings, which may include the period of Takhassus fil Ifta. OR At least 5 years of post-qualification experience in teaching or in Research and Development in the field of Islamic Banking and Finance. Preference will be given to candidates holding a certificate in Takhassus fil Fiqh or Takhassus fil Ifta. The advertisement also lists the following as required: adequate understanding of banking and finance in general and Islamic finance specifically; understanding of Fiq ul Muama’alat and Shariah-related issues; and strong grounding in Islamic jurisprudence, Usul al-Fiqh, and Fiqh methodologies for deriving juristic opinion.
Domicile / Nationality: Not specified in source advertisement.
Gender: Open to all. The advertisement explicitly states females and PWDs are encouraged to apply.
Other Requirements: Applicants convicted by any court of law are not eligible to apply. Only online submissions made through the official website before 10 May 2026 will be accepted. No TA/DA will be paid for the interview. Only shortlisted candidates will be contacted. ZTBL reserves the right to accept or reject any application without assigning a reason.
HOW TO APPLY
- Visit the official ZTBL jobs portal at https://www.ztbl.com.pk/jobs
- Locate the Shariah Scholar vacancy and review the full advertisement details carefully before proceeding.
- Submit your application entirely online. The advertisement states that only online submissions will be accepted within the due date.
- Do not attempt to submit a physical or WhatsApp application — the source advertisement does not mention these as valid channels.
- If you have a query, the advertisement directs you to contact the Head of Recruitment and Selection at ZTBL Head Office, Islamabad, at 051-9252724.
- Ensure your application is submitted before 10 May 2026. The advertisement clearly states that applications received after the closing date will not be entertained.
Always verify the latest instructions on the official advertisement before applying.
Nawa Verdict (archived)
Our original analysis of this role
WORTH APPLYING?
Conditional — if your qualifications match exactly and you have genuine Shariah ruling or Islamic banking R&D experience, this is a credible opportunity at a well-known government-owned bank. If your background is loosely related, skip it.
COMPETITION LEVEL:
High — only two positions are available and the role requires a very specific combination of formal Islamic studies education plus either Shariah ruling experience or Islamic banking research background. The applicant pool may be narrow, but those who qualify will be competing intensely for just one seat each.
PAY AND BENEFITS:
The advertisement states market competitive remuneration will be offered but provides no figures. Grade range is OG-I to AVP-I to AVP, which gives some indication of seniority, but exact pay is not disclosed in the source. Verify directly with ZTBL or upon shortlisting.
RED FLAGS:
The salary is not disclosed, which is a common frustration and makes it hard to assess the offer before investing time in the application. Only two posts are available across the entire country, making competition unusually concentrated. The advertisement also mentions no TA/DA for interviews, which may be a cost concern for out-of-city candidates since the role is Islamabad-based. There is no mention of a contract period or whether this is a permanent position, which should be clarified before applying.
HIDDEN BENEFITS:
ZTBL explicitly welcomes Shariah scholars from all schools of thought, which is a genuinely inclusive signal rarely stated this directly. The organization is described as AAA-rated with over 500 branches, suggesting institutional stability. The role sits at OG-I to AVP level, which indicates meaningful seniority rather than a junior entry-level post.
BEST FOR:
This role is best suited for an Islamic jurisprudence scholar who holds a recognized Dars e Nizami or equivalent qualification alongside a university degree, has hands-on experience either in issuing Shariah rulings or in Islamic banking research, and is based in or willing to relocate to Islamabad for a senior position within a national-level financial institution.Sonnet 4.6Adaptive