The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Iqra University’s Center for Excellence in Islamic FinTech (IU-CEIF) have launched a two-month investment competition aimed at encouraging women to participate in Shariah-compliant investing. Titled “Empowered Women – Ethical Investments,” the initiative is open to female students, faculty members and staff at universities across Pakistan. The programme combines practical investment experience with financial education, with the objective of helping participants understand investment opportunities, develop financial skills and make informed decisions. The initiative also brings attention to the importance of women’s participation in capital markets and the need to improve access to financial knowledge across educational institutions.
The competition was launched at a ceremony in Karachi attended by SECP Commissioner Imtiaz Haider, who highlighted the importance of financial awareness and informed investment decisions in increasing women’s participation in the financial sector. Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chairman of the Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) Board of Trustees, attended as the chief guest, alongside representatives of Islamic financial institutions. The participation of regulatory, academic and Islamic finance representatives reflects the initiative’s focus on connecting financial education with practical understanding of ethical investment options. By involving women from universities across the country, the programme seeks to introduce participants to investment concepts in an educational setting.
The emphasis on Shariah-compliant investing places Islamic finance at the centre of the competition. Such investments are structured around principles consistent with Islamic financial requirements, making knowledge of the relevant products and investment considerations important for potential participants. The initiative provides an opportunity for women to explore investment decisions through practical engagement rather than relying exclusively on theoretical financial education. Developing this understanding can help participants assess investment opportunities, consider financial risks and become more familiar with the processes involved in managing investments responsibly. The competition’s two-month duration is intended to combine learning with practical experience, although the announcement does not specify the investment instruments, assessment criteria or prizes that will be offered.
During the launch, Haider also highlighted regulatory initiatives intended to improve women’s access to financial services. These include the approval of Khudmukhtar Khatoon, described as Pakistan’s first digital financing product exclusively designed for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs). Products designed around the financing needs of women entrepreneurs can help address barriers faced by businesses seeking formal credit. Haider also referred to simplified account-opening procedures intended to make it easier for women to enter Pakistan’s capital market. Easier account access can reduce administrative obstacles for prospective investors, while targeted financing products can support women who require funds to establish or expand businesses. Together, these measures address different aspects of financial inclusion, from obtaining business financing to accessing investment opportunities.
Figures cited at the event underline the existing role of women in parts of Pakistan’s non-bank financial sector. As of June 30, 2026, women accounted for 59 percent of active borrowers in the Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) sector and 82 percent of borrowers in non-banking microfinance. The latter segment disbursed Rs236.2 billion to women during fiscal year 2025–26. These figures demonstrate substantial participation by women in the reported borrowing categories, particularly in non-banking microfinance. However, access to credit and participation in investment markets represent different dimensions of financial inclusion. While borrowing can help households and businesses meet financing needs, investment participation requires knowledge of available products, associated risks and the decisions involved in allocating savings.
The “Empowered Women – Ethical Investments” competition is intended to help address this wider financial education requirement by introducing participants to practical investment experience. Its university-based approach offers a channel for engaging female students, faculty and staff, potentially building awareness among women at different stages of their education and professional lives. The collaboration between SECP and IU-CEIF also connects financial regulation with academic expertise in Islamic financial technology. The initiative’s effectiveness will depend on how well participants develop their understanding of investment products and apply that knowledge when making financial decisions beyond the competition.
The launch adds to broader efforts to encourage women’s access to financial services through education, simplified procedures and targeted financial products. The reported participation of women in non-bank borrowing provides an important measure of their existing engagement with formal and semi-formal financing channels, while the new competition focuses on building familiarity with investment opportunities. By combining financial literacy with practical exposure to Shariah-compliant investing, SECP and Iqra University are seeking to encourage more women to consider participation in Pakistan’s capital markets. The programme also highlights the distinction between expanding access to financial accounts and ensuring that prospective investors have the knowledge needed to make informed, responsible decisions.
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