The Role of Islamic Law in Convergence to Western Corporate Governance Features in Pakistan

Abstract

This article examines the role of Islamic Law in convergence to western corporate governance features in Pakistan. The recent financial crisis in the world highlighted the importance of good corporate governance features. This phenomenon highlighted the possibility of adopting an alternative to conventional financial system in Pakistan. Islamic finance has shown its presence in the wake of financial crisis in the world. Therefore, this articles analyses, in comparative perspective, the Islamic financial system viz a viz conventional financial system. It further analyses the possibility of convergence of corporate governance mechanism, which is key for good governance in any financial system, in Pakistan. It concludes that Islamic Financial System may be adopted as alternative financial system as well as corporate governance mechanism may be converged to western corporate governance features in Pakistan. However, while doing so Islamic norms may act as a litmus test which may not be as problematic as it appears at first sight.