Kanwal Naseer

A State Bank of Pakistan’s initiative is ensuring that persons with disabilities (PWDs) not only have easy access to services offered by financial institutions but also contribute their share to the banking sector. The SBP issued a comprehensive policy framework on June 21, 2021 to ensure financial inclusion of the differently abled persons.

This policy aims to improve financial independence for PWDs by ensuring and expanding their access to banking services, and also giving them opportunities to work as bank employees. According to SBP, banks will provide products and services to meet the special requirements of all types of PWDs, including the physically disabled, the visually impaired, and those with hearing and communication impairments.

Talking to WealthPK in this regard, Salman Shaed, a banking officer at a branch of the Bank of Punjab (BoP), said the central bank has been exploring new ways to fulfil financial needs of persons with disabilities. “The banks are working under the central bank’s policy to support the goal that PWDs have equal access and opportunity to participate in economic activities.”

Salman Shaed stated: “Our bank creates and delivers services that address the special requirements of people with disabilities, as well as makes physical and assistive technology infrastructure readily available to them.” He added that the BoP has built ramps at ATMs to facilitate the PWDs with easy entry to the booths. “When a disabled person comes to our bank, the specially-trained staff facilitates his/her with every manner possible.”

The BoP banking officer continued that his bank is also giving jobs to PWDs under the special quota.Faisal, a visually impaired person and general branch officer at a BoP’s branch, told WealthPK that the bank hired a batch of 18 employees on disabled quota in September 2022. “I was appointed as a general branch officer under the quota for PWDs. “The bank has extended every help to me to get on with my work. Now, I perform my job diligently without facing any difficulty. The same treatment is given to other persons with some sort of disability.”

He appreciated the very good move taken by the Bank of Punjab under the central bank’s policy, which is giving a lot of facilities and services to the disabled persons. “Previously, I faced a lot of difficulty at my workplace, but now I feel at home working in the bank thanks to the State Bank’s initiative,” said Faisal.

According to WealthPK, Pakistan’s banking industry can play a critical role in ensuring financial and socioeconomic inclusion of PWDs. Economic progress could not be made possible unless Pakistan enables persons with special needs to reach their full potential. PWDs must be given more opportunities to access and participate in financial and socioeconomic processes to contribute to Pakistan’s development.

Credit : Independent News Pakistan-WealthPk