On April 14, 2025, the Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Jameel Ahmad, inaugurated the inaugural Pakistan Financial Literacy Week (PFLW) 2025 at the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) in Karachi. The event, held under the theme “Financial Inclusion through Collaboration and Innovation,” aimed to enhance financial literacy across the nation, focusing on empowering underserved communities, including women, youth, and individuals with disabilities.
The week-long initiative, running from April 14 to 18, 2025, featured a comprehensive array of activities designed to promote financial education and inclusion. These included over 260 financial literacy camps, more than 350 outreach programs at schools and universities, and 400+ interactive workshops targeting various demographics. The program spanned 101 districts, engaging over 100 partner institutions, including 60 universities and colleges, and involved all commercial banks operating in Pakistan.
A significant highlight of the inauguration was the launch of the National Financial Education Roadmap, a strategic document outlining Pakistan’s vision and actionable framework to expand access to quality financial services for all segments of society. Governor Ahmad emphasized the pivotal role of financial literacy in building a more inclusive and resilient financial system, noting that initiatives like the National Financial Literacy Program (NFLP) and the Banking on Equality Policy (BoE) have made substantial strides in promoting financial inclusion.
Governor Ahmad shared that the NFLP has successfully trained over 3.4 million individuals, with 58% female participation, and introduced specialized programs such as the Financial Literacy Program for Teachers in Balochistan to empower educators in underserved regions. He also highlighted the impact of the Banking on Equality Policy, which has reduced the gender gap in financial access from 47% in 2018 to 34% in 2023.
The launch of Raast, Pakistan’s first instant digital payment system, was also noted as a significant advancement in facilitating fast, secure, and low-cost transactions for the public. Complementing this, the Asaan Digital Account and Asaan Mobile Account initiatives have simplified the process for millions to open bank accounts and access digital financial services.
To recognize outstanding contributions in advancing financial education, inclusion, and innovation, awards were presented to banks and institutions demonstrating exceptional performance in areas of financial literacy outreach, financial inclusion, women’s financial inclusion, and digital innovation. The ceremony was attended by key stakeholders, including the Chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), senior officials from SBP and SBP-BSC, representatives from the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC), the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Asian Development Bank (ADB), and other international and domestic stakeholders.
The PFLW 2025 served as a testament to Pakistan’s commitment to fostering an inclusive financial ecosystem through collaboration and innovation. By engaging a diverse range of institutions and communities, the initiative aimed to equip individuals with the knowledge and tools necessary to make informed financial decisions, thereby contributing to the nation’s economic growth and development.