2 min read
In a significant development, a Senate committee has urged the State Bank of Pakistan to intervene after reports emerged that some Islamic banks were forcing female staff to wear abayas. The call comes as lawmakers stress that women should not be compelled into any specific religious attire at workplaces.
The matter surfaced during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance, where Senator Zarqa Suharwardy highlighted that several banks were instructing women to wear abayas at customer counters.
She said women in Pakistan already dress modestly and “should not be forced to adopt a particular look for religious impression.”
Committee members backed her stance, describing the practice as a violation of individual freedom. Senator Farooq Naik compared the situation to forcing someone to grow a beard against their will, adding that workplace appearance should not be dictated through religious compulsion.
An SBP representative informed the committee that dress codes differ across banks. Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani said he was previously unaware of these reports but assured that he would take up the matter with the central bank governor.
The committee has recommended that the SBP issue clear guidelines directing banks to maintain a professional and modest dress code without imposing any specific religious garment. Lawmakers emphasized that workplace autonomy and professional standards must be upheld across the banking sector.
