Open to opportunities

Ahsan Zafar

@ahsanzafar2

Message

I’m a compliance leader specializing in AML/CFT, sanctions, and regulatory programs to prevent financial crime.

Pakistan

Message

What I'm looking for

I’m looking to lead a compliance function where I can strengthen AML/CFT governance, sanctions and monitoring systems, partner with the MLRO and board, and deliver audit-ready documentation, training, and risk assessments with practical, data-driven execution.

I’m an experienced compliance professional with over a decade in the field of compliance and investigating financial crime, supporting both FIs and DNFBPs in highly regulated environments.

I build and continuously improve AML/CFT/CPF policies, procedures, and controls, ensuring compliance risk is mitigated through clear frameworks, governance, and board-level reporting. I’m well versed with the FATF 40 recommendations, AML/CFT compliance principles, anti-bribery and corruption controls, and international sanctions.

Across my roles, I’ve redesigned and strengthened core program elements including Client Due Diligence, customer risk grading and profiling, product risk assessment, enterprise-wide risk assessment (BRA/EWRA), sanction screening, and transaction monitoring systems (TMS). I also manage STRs/CTRs and guidance to the MLRO on coordination with the Financial Intelligence Unit and relevant regulatory and law-enforcement stakeholders.

Beyond technical controls, I focus on execution: I mentor teams, lead compliance training and awareness programmes, oversee regulatory returns and escalation processes, and ensure documentation trails stay audit-ready when regulators inspect. I bring disciplined analytical thinking to unstructured and complex regulatory requirements—so compliance stays practical, timely, and effective.

Experience

Work history, roles, and key accomplishments

Current

Global Compliance Officer

Current

Bullion Street Gold Trading LLC

Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Developed and maintained AML/CFT/CPF policies, procedures, and controls for the compliance programme, advising the MLRO on regulatory coordination and reporting. Led risk assessment activities (customer, product, and enterprise-wide), oversaw sanctions screening and transaction monitoring systems, and delivered board-level compliance reporting and training.

FIU STR Reporting DNFBP Compliance Sanction Screening Transaction Monitoring

Current

Chief Compliance Officer

Current

Royal International Exchange Company (Pvt) Limited

Jun 2024 - Present (1 year 10 months)

Developed, designed, and regularly updated AML/CFT/CPF policies, procedures, and controls while liaising with the Central Bank of Pakistan and law enforcement for inspections and regulatory matters. Managed FIU reporting and led client due diligence, enterprise risk assessments, sanctions screening, and transaction monitoring system development, supporting board updates with time-bound compliance

AML CFT CPF Program Management SBP Regulatory Liaison FIU CTR STR Reporting Sanction Screening Transaction Monitoring

Chief Compliance Officer (MLRO)

Ravi Exchange Company (Pvt) Limited

Dec 2019 - Jun 2024 (4 years 6 months)

Served as Head of Compliance/MLRO, developing and maintaining AML/CFT/CPF policies, procedures, and controls and coordinating with regulators and law enforcement. Oversaw FIU STR/CTR processes, sanctions screening, client due diligence, enterprise risk assessments, and transaction monitoring system setup and fine-tuning, and presented quarterly compliance updates to senior management.

MLRO Compliance Leadership FIU STR CTR Reporting Sanction Screening Transaction Monitoring

Compliance Manager (AML)

Al Baraka Bank Pakistan (Pvt) Limited

Jun 2013 - Dec 2019 (6 years 6 months)

Reviewed AML investigations for enhanced monitoring and reporting to the Financial Intelligence Unit, and provided oversight of KYC onboarding and continuous customer monitoring against prohibited lists. Recommended improvements to transaction monitoring systems, delivered AML training, led reporting for CTR/STR through GOAML, and ensured timely submission of regulatory returns including FATCA and

AML Investigator Transaction Monitoring System (TMS) Improvements FIU CTR STR Reporting Regulatory Returns (FATCA CRS)GoAML Reporting