State Bank of Pakistan Banking Services Corporation (SBP-BSC) Islamabad marked Pakistan Women Entrepreneurship Day 2025 on December 3, 2025, in partnership with Shirakat | Partnership for Development, IFC, CARE International, UBL, National Bank of Pakistan, HBL, and Aik Digital by BankIslami. The event highlighted SBP’s ongoing commitment to advancing women’s financial inclusion and creating an enabling ecosystem for women-led businesses across Pakistan. It brought together financial institutions, development partners, and entrepreneurs to recognize and support the contribution of women in the country’s economic landscape.
The celebration began with the Empower Her Expo, showcasing products and services from over 50 women entrepreneurs from Islamabad. The expo offered a platform for participants to display their work, interact with potential buyers, and engage with representatives from major financial institutions. Commercial banks including NBP, Easypaisa, Allied Bank, Askari Bank, HBL, Aik Digital, and Bank AL Habib set up dedicated kiosks to provide information, raise awareness about their products, and support digital onboarding for women entrepreneurs, reflecting the banking sector’s increasing role in promoting economic empowerment for women.
The main segment of the event took place in the Banking Hall at 3:00 PM, attended by more than 500 participants, including partner organizations, women entrepreneurs, financial sector professionals, and members of the public. The ceremony opened with the recitation of the Holy Quran, followed by a special prayer by Reverend Dr. Khushnud Azariah, symbolizing unity, inclusion, and harmony. A culturally rich moment followed with a live rendition of the National Anthem performed on tabla and violin by Amoos Khan Masih and Imran Khan, adding a memorable artistic touch to the proceedings.
Chief Guest Ms. Bilquis Tahira, CEO of Shirakat Foundation, addressed the gathering, emphasizing the importance of providing women entrepreneurs with the tools, networks, and support needed to succeed. She was accompanied by key figures from SBP, including Deputy Governor Amin Lodhi, Executive Director of Payment Systems Sohail Javaad Syed, and Chief Manager SBP-BSC Islamabad Adnan Imran, along with representatives from ZTBL, JS Zindigi, and partner commercial banks. The event highlighted a collective effort to foster financial literacy, support innovation, and promote sustainable growth for women-led enterprises, reinforcing SBP’s mission to create a more inclusive and resilient financial ecosystem in Pakistan.
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