In a groundbreaking move to empower young minds with essential life skills, the Punjab Education Foundation (PEF), in collaboration with Karandaaz Pakistan, the National Institute of Banking and Finance (NIBAF)—a subsidiary of the State Bank of Pakistan—and the Bank of Punjab (BoP), has launched a large-scale financial literacy program in Punjab schools. The joint initiative will be rolled out as supplementary education across 1,000 PEF schools in the province, targeting over 100,000 students in the pilot phase.
The partnership supports Pakistan’s National Financial Inclusion Strategy (NFIS) and the newly introduced National Financial Education Roadmap (2025–2029), which aims to integrate financial literacy into the national curriculum by 2028. The project also aligns with the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), specifically SDG 4 (Quality Education), SDG 8 (Decent Work and Economic Growth), and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).
Under the program, nearly 2,000 teachers and 25 master trainers will be equipped to deliver engaging financial education content covering vital topics such as saving, budgeting, earning, and digital banking. NIBAF will spearhead the on-ground implementation and provide monitoring support to ensure quality standards across participating schools.
The official signing ceremony in Lahore was attended by key stakeholders from the government, education sector, and financial institutions, including Secretary Schools Education Khalid Nazir Wattoo, PEF Chairman Malik Shoaib Awan, and Karandaaz Pakistan’s Chief Digital Officer Sharjeel Murtaza. Also present were leaders from NIBAF and the Bank of Punjab, further highlighting the institutional commitment behind this initiative.
This model builds on previous success in federal schools and is now being expanded in Punjab, signaling a strong move toward nationwide adoption. Leaders from each organization stressed the importance of equipping students with practical knowledge to manage finances and understand the economy.
As financial technology becomes increasingly central to everyday life, such programs aim to build a generation that’s financially aware, digitally ready, and economically empowered. The implementing organizations called upon public institutions, civil society, and donors to scale this effort nationwide and embed financial education across all school systems in Pakistan.
