National Institute of Banking and Finance successfully hosted a two-day event titled “Celebration of Financial Literacy – A Success Story” on October 9–10, 2025. The gathering marked an important step forward in promoting financial education among students of the Federal Directorate of Education schools, highlighting the impact of early learning in shaping responsible financial behaviors.
The event opened with a recitation from the Holy Quran and the National Anthem of Pakistan, creating an inspiring atmosphere for the participants. Wajiha Qamar, Honourable State Minister for Federal Education and Professional Training, attended as Chief Guest and delivered the keynote speech. She emphasized that introducing financial education at an early age is crucial for nurturing a generation that understands the value of money management, budgeting, saving, and informed decision-making. She praised the strong collaboration between NIBAF, Karandaaz Pakistan and FDE for integrating financial literacy into the school curriculum.
Salman Shehzad, Project Director of the Financial Literacy Integration Project (FLIP) at NIBAF, led insightful sessions with FDE school principals, outlining the project’s significant achievements. Under this initiative, more than 2,500 teachers and 30 master trainers have been trained, reaching over 110,000 students across 100+ schools in Islamabad. His presentation showcased how capacity building at the teacher level enables financial literacy to be embedded in everyday classroom learning.
Riffat Jabeen, Director Academics & Quality Assurance at FDE, commended the dedication of the teams behind FLIP. She highlighted that financial literacy not only enhances academic knowledge but also equips students to make sound personal finance decisions as future adults. She acknowledged the critical partnership between NIBAF, Karandaaz and FDE for creating learning opportunities that bridge theory with practical financial skills.
Representing Karandaaz Pakistan, Hasnat Ashraf, Head of Development Impact, discussed how digital financial solutions are expanding financial access nationwide. He particularly noted the transformative role of RAAST, the digital payment platform developed in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan, in enabling seamless and inclusive financial transactions. He reaffirmed Karandaaz’s commitment to supporting youth empowerment through financial education.
The closing ceremony featured the distribution of souvenirs and certificates to FDE representatives and Area Education Officers, recognizing their contributions to advancing the financial literacy agenda. In her vote of thanks, Lubna Farooq Malik, CEO of NIBAF, expressed gratitude to the guests, educators, and participants for their active involvement. She reiterated NIBAF’s commitment, alongside SBP, to continue integrating financial literacy into the national curriculum so that every child in Pakistan, regardless of their background, gains access to essential financial knowledge.
This initiative reflects a broader national strategy to build a financially informed population capable of making responsible choices in an increasingly digital economy. By fostering awareness and understanding from a young age, projects like FLIP aim to create long-term economic resilience and promote financial inclusion.
The two-day event underscored the power of collaboration between educational institutions, financial organizations, and government stakeholders. It demonstrated how structured initiatives can create meaningful change, equipping future generations with the tools they need to navigate a complex financial landscape with confidence and responsibility.
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