 Then it started its operations as a public sector financial institution.Australasia Bank had the unique distinction of being closely identified with some of the country's most prominent leaders of the Pakistan Movement such as Mian Mumtaz Daultana on (Board of Directors), Mian Iftikhar Hussain and Maulana Zafar Ali Khan.The bank originally started its operation in the garage of Khawaja Bashir Baksh's bungalow (who was the chairman) near the Lahore Railway Station.