Banks must keep up CSR agenda.

Byline: AHSAN NISAR

NBP strongly committed in human investment and reaching SDG Goals

Interview with Ms. Sabeen Gul - Wing Head CSR at NBP

Profile

Ms. Sabeen Gul is an experienced multi-disciplinary professional in finance, economics, digital finance systems, project management, stakeholders' engagement, CSR and Sustainable Development having more than 19 years of experience with the National Bank of Pakistan. At present she is working as a Wing Head in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Development. She is also voluntarily working for different community development programs. She is foreign qualified, holds Masters in International Banking and Finance from University of Southampton, UK. She is also a Junior Associate of the Institute of Bankers Pakistan since 2012. Besides, she has also done various certifications that include but not limited to SME Financing, FOREX, Power BI, Freelancing, Interest rate Derivatives, Emotional Intelligence, Leadership and motivation, REIKI, Environment and Sustainable Development, etc.

Achievements

Recipient of Awards/Certificates for contribution towards society including but not limited to health, education, women empowerment, differently abled persons, sanitation etc.

Recipient of Performance/Recognition Awards multiple times for best performance related to consumer products.

PAGE: What is the role of CSR in the banking industry of Pakistan?

Sabeen Gul: The banking industry in Pakistan plays a major and vital role in different business, financial and investment activities to boost the economic growth. As of today CSR has become an integral part of the codes of corporate governance globally and same goes with the Pakistan's banking industry. Even though banks are doing very well in CSR but overall situation is still not very good and CSR in Pakistan is still in an infancy stage. Now, the corporate sector including banks understand that the CSR is an investment and not a cost. They are considering that through effective CSR policies and practices, they are not only able to portray their image as an industry that provides mortgages/credits/deposits but also helps in sustainable development of different sectors of economy such as health, education, and other areas related to basic human needs. Also addressing the socio-economic challenges through philanthropic activities helps to improve the performance and reduce the expected reputational risk which the banks are exposed to.

Given the corporate...