The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) took a significant step toward advancing financial inclusion and education across the country with the official launch of Pakistan Financial Literacy Week (PFLW) 2025. The inauguration ceremony was held at the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF) in Karachi and was graced by SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad as the Chief Guest. Themed “Financial Inclusion through Collaboration and Innovation,” the event drew participation from key figures in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem, including representatives from banks, regulatory bodies, development institutions, and international partners.
A central highlight of the ceremony was the unveiling of the National Financial Education Roadmap, a comprehensive strategic framework aimed at improving financial literacy across all segments of society. This document lays out Pakistan’s vision for embedding financial education into the national consciousness through a series of actionable goals and collaborative efforts. Governor Ahmad emphasized that financial literacy is the cornerstone of building a robust, inclusive, and resilient financial system and noted that financial education must be a shared national priority.
The Governor appreciated the growing role of financial institutions, regulators, and development partners in promoting financial literacy, crediting their combined efforts for the steady rise in financial inclusion rates. He reiterated SBP’s commitment to expanding access to quality financial services and equipping the public with the knowledge to make informed financial decisions.
As part of the ongoing PFLW 2025 celebrations, a wide range of activities will be conducted nationwide until April 18. These include targeted awareness campaigns, school and university outreach programs, community financial education sessions, digital engagement initiatives, and financial literacy walks aimed at reaching the masses and fostering a culture of financial empowerment.
During his keynote address, Governor Ahmad highlighted the tangible progress Pakistan has made in improving financial inclusion. He cited the success of the National Financial Literacy Program for Adults and Youth, which has already trained over 3.4 million individuals—58% of whom were women—reflecting a conscious push toward gender inclusivity in financial education. A dedicated financial literacy initiative for teachers in Balochistan was also launched, focusing on strengthening the capacity of educators in historically underserved regions.
Governor Ahmad also pointed to the Banking on Equality (BoE) policy as a transformative initiative that helped reduce the gender gap in financial access from 47% in 2018 to 34% in 2023. He praised digital innovations like Raast, Pakistan’s first instant digital payment system, as well as Asaan Digital Account and Asaan Mobile Account, which have drastically simplified access to digital financial services for millions of Pakistanis, particularly those previously excluded from the formal banking system.
To honor and recognize exceptional efforts in financial education and inclusion, awards were presented to banks and institutions demonstrating leadership in outreach, women’s financial empowerment, and digital innovation. These recognitions highlighted best practices and encouraged the financial sector to continue innovating for broader impact.
The ceremony was attended by a wide array of dignitaries and industry leaders, including the Chairperson of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), senior officials from SBP and SBP-BSC, representatives from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Pakistan Security Printing Corporation (PSPC), Asian Development Bank (ADB), and others. The presence of Presidents and CEOs from leading banks further underscored the collective commitment to promoting financial literacy at the national level.
With the launch of PFLW 2025 and the National Financial Education Roadmap, Pakistan signals a strong and strategic push towards making financial inclusion a reality for all, paving the way for sustainable economic development powered by informed and financially empowered citizens.