KARACHI / ISLAMABAD — The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed commercial banks to increase women’s share of their workforce from the current 17 percent to 22 percent by December 2028. Under its Banking on Equality Policy 2026, the central bank has asked banks to prepare action plans with clear timelines to recruit more women and improve their representation across branches and offices.
Banks have also been instructed to prioritise posting female employees at branches and in cities of their choice, wherever possible, to address mobility challenges and help women remain in the workforce. SBP has directed banks to introduce merit-based promotion policies to move more women into management positions. They will also be required to establish mentorship, coaching and training programs to support the career development of junior female employees.
The regulator has further asked banks to appoint more women as financing officers, particularly in microfinance, agriculture, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), housing and sustainable finance. The move is aimed at improving access to financial services for female borrowers. Banks must also ensure compliance with workplace harassment laws and provide maternity, miscarriage and iddat leave under applicable regulations.