SECP And Iqra University Start Women Investment Contest

A new two-month investment competition aims to increase women participation in Shariah-compliant investing across Pakistan.

NationPulse Desk

Oct 28, 2026 · 6:23 PM 2 min read

Key takeaways

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Iqra University's Center for Excellence in Islamic FinTech launched a two-month investment competition.

The competition is called "Empowered Women - Ethical Investments" and is open to female students, faculty, and staff at universities across Pakistan.

Women made up 59 percent of active borrowers in the Non-Banking Finance Company sector as of June 30, 2026.

Non-banking microfinance disbursed Rs. 236.2 billion to women during FY2025-26, where they represented 82 percent of active borrowers.

A two-month investment competition has started through a collaboration between the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and Iqra University's Center for Excellence in Islamic FinTech, designed to encourage women to take part in Shariah-compliant investing.

Named "Empowered Women - Ethical Investments," the program welcomes female students, staff members, and faculty from universities located throughout Pakistan.

During the opening event held in Karachi, SECP Commissioner Imtiaz Haider stated that financial literacy and educated investment choices are necessary to boost female involvement in the financial industry.

The event featured Sheikh Ebrahim bin Khalifa Al Khalifa, chairman of the AAOIFI Board of Trustees, serving as the chief guest alongside various figures from Islamic financial organizations.

Haider pointed out several SECP programs created to boost women's financial inclusion, mentioning the greenlight given to Khudmukhtar Khatoon, which is the nation's initial digital financing option built specifically for micro, small, and medium enterprises run by women. He additionally mentioned easier account creation steps made to help women join the capital market.

Data shows that women make up a large portion of borrowers within the non-bank financial industry. By June 30, 2026, females made up 59 percent of active borrowers inside the Non-Banking Finance Company sector and 82 percent in non-banking microfinance, which handed out Rs. 236.2 billion to women during FY2025-26.

The contest pairs hands-on investment practice with financial learning to assist women in building investment abilities and executing smart, accountable financial choices.

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