Faysal Bank Limited (FBL), one of Pakistan’s leading Islamic banks, successfully kicked off the Karachi cohort of its ‘Faysal Khud Mukhtar’ Internship Programme in collaboration with Circle Women Association, showcasing a commitment to women empowerment and inclusive economic participation. This initiative falls under Circle’s flagship Work Readiness Programme, which provides young women with the tools they need to thrive in any workplace.

Aligned with the Banking on Equality initiative by the State Bank of Pakistan, a total of 25 young women from underserved areas of Karachi are being trained through this immersive programme, aimed at equipping them with essential skills, confidence, and practical experience to support their journey towards building sustainable careers for themselves. These women will earn a guaranteed internship at Faysal Bank post-completion of their training and a majority will go on to secure permanent placement in different departments within the Bank.

Initiated for the first time in 2023, the ‘Faysal Khud Mukhtar’ Internship Programme is part of FBL’s broader ESG and DEI commitment to enable women from underserved communities to access formal training and opportunities in the corporate sector. The initiative is structured to combine skill-building workshops, mentoring sessions, and hands-on departmental placements across various functions of the Bank.

The last cohort of the Programme was held in Lahore where 46 women were trained. Of these 42 secured internships at Faysal Bank and more than half eventually landed jobs that promised a financially independent future.

The Bank plans to continue expanding the programme across other regions, working closely with community-based organisations and educational institutions to identify and support deserving candidates.

Faysal Bank’s efforts in this space reflect its growing role as a responsible and values-driven Islamic bank, striving to build a more equitable and empowered Pakistan through sustainable as well as impactful collaborations.