ISLAMABAD: President Dr. Arif Alvi has emphasized the need to enhance the financial inclusion of Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) and improving the accessibility infrastructure for them.
Chairing a meeting on financial inclusion of PWDs, at Aiwan-e-Sadr, the president said that the financial inclusion of the Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) was a must to enable them to play their role in the socio-economic development of the country.
He said that it was essential to bring differently-abled people (DAPs) into the mainstream and empower them economically.
The president stated that DAPs were a vulnerable segment and it was the collective responsibility of society to work for their facilitation and economic welfare.
On this occasion, SAPM on Poverty Alleviation and Social Safety Dr Sania Nishtar apprised the meeting of the steps taken for the uplift of DAPs under the Ehsaas Program.
Governor State Bank Dr. Reza Baqir, Reza Baqir briefed the meeting about the compliance status of the decisions taken in the previous meeting held with CEOs and presidents of banks in February 2020.
Baqir highlighted the initiatives taken by SBP for the welfare and facilitation of DAPs. He said the SBP had made it mandatory for all banks and Micro-Finance Banks to construct ramps and ensure accessible banking infrastructure for PWDs.
SBP had allocated targets to banks with regard to refinancing schemes and had also instructed them to ensure the construction of ramps at the entrance points of banks within a period of two years, he added.
Governor SBP said that a Working Group comprising representatives of banks, SECP and PWDs would be constituted to formulate recommendations for the economic empowerment and wellbeing of PWDs.
President HBL and Chairman PBA Muhammad Aurangzeb updated the meeting about the steps taken for the facilitation of DAPs.
He informed that 525 branches with accessible infrastructure had been completed while 1100 PWDs had been provided financial assistance besides 151 Talking ATMs installed throughout the country.
The CEOs and presidents assured that they would continue to support the efforts for the facilitation and financial inclusion of DAPs. The president appreciated the steps taken by the SBP and other commercial banks for the facilitation and economic wellbeing of PWDs.
He underlined the need for creating awareness among the DAPs about the refinance schemes and other facilities being offered by banks.
President Dr. Arif Alvi chaired meeting on financial inclusion of differently-abled people.
Governor SBP, Reza Baqir, briefed the meeting about the compliance status of the decisions taken in the previous meeting held with CEOs/Presidents of banks in February 2020. pic.twitter.com/Ec3qrBLA2u
— The President of Pakistan (@PresOfPakistan) December 4, 2020
