The National Institute of Banking & Finance Pakistan (NIBAF Pakistan) reinforced its commitment to advancing women’s financial capability by participating in Driving Inclusive Innovation and Financial Empowerment, a forum centered on strengthening women’s economic participation in a rapidly digitizing Pakistan. The engagement brought together leaders from the public and private sectors to examine how technology, policy frameworks and education systems can converge to build a more inclusive financial landscape.
Representing NIBAF Pakistan, Mr. Salman Shehzad, Project Director – Financial Literacy Integration Project (FLIP), joined the panel discussion titled “Advancing Women’s Economic Future Through Innovation.” The session focused on identifying actionable pathways to expand women’s access to formal financial services while ensuring sustainable participation in the country’s digital economy. Mr. Shehzad emphasized that financial literacy must be embedded early within the education system to create long-term behavioral change and meaningful inclusion.
The panel featured perspectives from Mr. Haris Bin Javed of JazzCash, Ms. Zarene Zuberi of UN Women, Ms. Samiya Salik of Karandaaz Pakistan, and Ms. Zunaira Umar of WCCI. Each speaker highlighted practical strategies to address structural barriers that limit women’s financial access, including limited awareness, digital divides and socio-economic constraints. The discussion underscored that digital platforms alone cannot drive inclusion unless accompanied by capacity-building initiatives, responsible product design and enabling policy environments.
NIBAF Pakistan reiterated that financial literacy remains a foundational pillar of economic empowerment. Through FLIP, a flagship initiative of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the institute is working to integrate structured financial education into academic curricula. The initiative aims to equip young learners with essential skills related to savings, budgeting, entrepreneurship and informed financial decision-making. According to NIBAF representatives, embedding financial knowledge at an early stage can foster confidence and resilience, particularly among women who often face systemic barriers to accessing financial tools.
Participants agreed that responsible digital finance must remain central to Pakistan’s fintech expansion. As digital wallets, mobile banking applications and branchless banking services continue to expand, ensuring consumer protection, data security and transparent practices becomes increasingly critical. Collaborative efforts between regulators, financial institutions, fintech companies and development partners were identified as key to building trust and expanding women’s participation in digital financial services.
The conversation also highlighted the importance of public–private partnerships in driving inclusive innovation. Stakeholders stressed that coordinated action is needed to align regulatory policies with technological advancements while safeguarding user interests. Creating inclusive policy frameworks can help ensure that women are not merely passive users of financial technology but active contributors to economic growth and digital entrepreneurship.
Through its continued engagement in national dialogues and implementation of programs like FLIP, NIBAF Pakistan reaffirmed its role in shaping a financially literate and digitally capable society. The institute’s focus on women’s empowerment aligns with broader national priorities aimed at expanding financial inclusion and strengthening Pakistan’s digital economy.
As Pakistan advances its fintech ecosystem, initiatives that combine education, innovation and policy support are emerging as decisive factors in closing gender gaps. NIBAF Pakistan’s participation in this forum reflects a strategic commitment to building financial capability at scale, positioning women as integral participants in the country’s evolving digital and economic future.
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