The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Iqra University have launched a two-month investment competition to encourage women to explore Shariah-compliant investments and improve their financial skills.
Named “Empowered Women – Ethical Investments,” the competition is open to female students, faculty members and staff at universities across Pakistan. It aims to combine practical investing experience with financial education.
Speaking at the launch ceremony in Karachi, SECP Commissioner Imtiaz Haider said financial awareness and informed investment decisions were important for increasing women’s participation in the financial sector.
Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chairman of the AAOIFI Board of Trustees, attended the event as chief guest, along with representatives of Islamic financial institutions.
Haider also outlined SECP measures to improve women’s access to financial services. These include the approval of Khudmukhtar Khatoon, described as Pakistan’s first digital financing product exclusively for women-led micro, small and medium enterprises (MSMEs).
He also highlighted simplified account-opening procedures intended to make it easier for women to enter the capital market.
Women already make up a large share of borrowers in Pakistan’s non-bank finance sector. As of June 30, 2026, they accounted for 59 percent of active borrowers in the Non-Banking Finance Company (NBFC) sector and 82 percent in non-banking microfinance.
The latter sector disbursed Rs. 236.2 billion to women during fiscal year 2025-26.
The new competition is intended to help participants build investment knowledge, gain practical experience and make more informed financial decisions through Shariah-compliant investment options.
