The State Bank of Pakistan, Banking Services Corporation (SBP BSC) and UN Women Pakistan have formalized a strategic partnership through the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) aimed at advancing financial inclusion, financial literacy, and access to finance. With a strong focus on promoting gender equality, the collaboration underscores a joint commitment to women’s empowerment and inclusive economic growth in Pakistan.
The signing ceremony, held in Karachi, was attended by Maraj Mahmood, Managing Director of SBP BSC, and Jamshed Kazi, Country Representative of UN Women Pakistan. Both leaders highlighted the transformative potential of inclusive financial systems in addressing structural barriers faced by women in accessing resources and opportunities.
In his remarks, Jamshed Kazi stressed that financial inclusion is a cornerstone of gender equality and a prerequisite for unlocking the potential of women in Pakistan’s economic and social landscape. He noted that by partnering with SBP BSC, UN Women seeks to open new pathways for women to access financial services, enhance resilience, and actively contribute to sustainable development.
Echoing this vision, Maraj Mahmood reaffirmed the State Bank’s commitment to expanding the role of women in the financial sector. He emphasized that this collaboration reflects SBP’s broader vision of ensuring equitable financial literacy and access for underserved communities, especially women, who remain disproportionately excluded from the formal financial system.
The MoU outlines a comprehensive framework for cooperation between the two organizations. Key areas of focus include the joint organization of conferences, capacity-building initiatives, awareness campaigns, and collaborative research to better understand and dismantle barriers to women’s financial inclusion. The agreement also highlights the need to expand digital financial services and strengthen outreach in underserved regions, enabling greater participation of women in Pakistan’s evolving financial ecosystem.
By promoting wider access to digital finance and creating innovative solutions tailored to women’s needs, the partnership aims to address systemic inequalities while building sustainable opportunities for women entrepreneurs, professionals, and households. This initiative is expected to play a pivotal role in reshaping financial practices that support long-term economic empowerment.
The collaboration also aligns with UN Women’s global agenda to strengthen women’s economic rights as part of the Beijing+30 review process and Pakistan’s commitments under international frameworks for gender equality. While the MoU does not impose legally binding obligations, it establishes a strong foundation for both entities to leverage their expertise, networks, and resources in driving meaningful, measurable impact.
This development marks a significant milestone for Pakistan’s financial sector, demonstrating how cross-institutional cooperation can accelerate progress toward a more inclusive economy. By placing women at the center of financial inclusion efforts, SBP BSC and UN Women are charting a path toward greater equity, resilience, and sustainable growth.