The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has initiated the implementation of its Banking on Equality Policy 2026 through a high-level round table held in Islamabad, marking a step in its efforts to expand women’s access to financial services and strengthen gender inclusion across the country’s banking sector. The session brought together stakeholders to discuss the policy’s implementation and identify areas where coordinated efforts could support greater participation of women in the formal financial system. The meeting was chaired by SBP Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah, who led discussions focused on advancing women’s financial inclusion and building stronger collaboration among relevant institutions.
The round table provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss the priorities and practical requirements associated with implementing the Banking on Equality Policy 2026. The policy is intended to address barriers that limit women’s access to banking and other formal financial services, while encouraging financial institutions to improve the availability and accessibility of their products. Its implementation involves engagement across the financial sector, as expanding inclusion requires coordination between regulators, banks and other stakeholders. The Islamabad session placed particular emphasis on strengthening these working relationships so that the policy can be translated into practical measures.
Women’s financial inclusion remains an important area of focus for Pakistan’s financial sector, as access to suitable banking services can help women manage savings, receive payments, access financing and participate more actively in economic activities. Barriers to financial access can include limited documentation, geographical constraints, low awareness of available services and gaps in the design of financial products. Addressing these challenges requires financial institutions to consider the different needs of women customers and improve how banking services are designed, delivered and communicated. The Banking on Equality Policy 2026 provides a framework for bringing these considerations into the wider financial inclusion agenda.
The involvement of stakeholders in the policy’s implementation is also significant because expanding women’s access to financial services cannot be achieved through regulatory measures alone. Banks and other financial institutions have a role in reviewing their service delivery models, improving customer outreach and identifying obstacles that prevent women from opening or actively using accounts. Collaboration can also help align institutional efforts with the broader objectives of the policy and support more consistent progress across the sector. The high-level round table chaired by Saleem Ullah focused on this need for stronger coordination and shared engagement among stakeholders.
With the implementation process now initiated, the SBP’s engagement with stakeholders is expected to remain an important part of advancing the Banking on Equality Policy 2026. The effectiveness of the initiative will depend on how its objectives are incorporated into financial institutions’ practices and how barriers to women’s participation are addressed over time. The Islamabad meeting highlighted the central role of cooperation in moving the policy forward, with women’s financial inclusion remaining the primary focus of the regulator’s efforts.
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