The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has directed the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to take action against commercial banks accused of compelling female employees to wear abayas as part of workplace dress codes.
According to a report by The Express Tribune, the issue was raised by Senator Dr Zarqa Taimur, who told the committee that women in Pakistan already dress modestly and that imposing additional clothing requirements was unnecessary.
Senator Farooq Naek sharply criticised the reported policies, stating that “forcing someone to wear an abaya is exactly the same as forcing a man to grow a beard,” and questioned how such rules could be permitted under the central bank’s oversight.
The committee decided to summon the banks involved to explain their dress code regulations.
Committee chairman Senator Saleem Mandviwalla also voiced concerns about practices in the Islamic banking sector, noting that several institutions were charging higher profit rates than conventional banks. He described the practice as a form of fraud and deception and called for closer scrutiny.
