Karachi, November 6,2026: US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker joined State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad and senior executives of Cisco Systems Pakistan to mark the successful deployment of the central bank’s new core banking network and Software-Defined Data Center.
The ceremony was held at the SBP Head Office in Karachi, celebrating the completion of a multimillion-dollar project awarded to US technology company Cisco.
The project marks a significant step towards modernising Pakistan’s critical financial infrastructure by establishing a secure, agile and resilient software-defined data centre architecture. The new system is designed to safeguard monetary stability and ensure reliable digital banking services across the country.
Speaking at the ceremony, Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker highlighted the importance of trusted and secure technology in strengthening modern financial systems and underscored the expanding commercial ties between the United States and Pakistan.
She said the central bank’s infrastructure was a national asset underpinning economic stability and public confidence.
Baker noted that the State Bank’s partnership with American industry reflected its commitment to technology quality, security and long-term reliability.
She reaffirmed the United States’ commitment to its longstanding commercial partnership with Pakistan and expressed readiness to continue connecting Pakistani institutions with world-class American innovation.
SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad and Cisco Country General Manager Kashif Ul-Haque appreciated the joint engineering efforts that enabled the successful implementation and migration of the complex network infrastructure while ensuring uninterrupted central banking operations.
The project also highlights the US government’s continued commitment to promoting private-sector collaboration, transparent and secure digital infrastructure, and stronger bilateral trade and investment relations between the United States and Pakistan.
