Pakistan's financial inclusion reaches 71%, gender gap narrows to 27%: SBP governor

Pakistan’s financial inclusion rate has climbed to 71%, while the gender gap has eased to 27%, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said at a green-finance policy programme in Islamabad, Profit by Pakistan Today reported. He called for better climate-finance access for women, small farmers, small businesses and lower-income households, groups he said are especially exposed to climate risks and often lack formal financial services.

The four-day SBP and Alliance for Financial Inclusion initiative has brought 38 participants from central banks and financial regulators in 24 countries to discuss putting inclusive green-finance policies into practice. Ahmad cited Pakistan’s Green Taxonomy, climate-risk rules and stress-testing guidance, alongside programmes supporting women’s financial inclusion. He also referred to the 2022 floods, which caused nearly $15 billion in physical damage and an additional $15 billion in economic losses.