The Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan Limited (SCBPL) has recently pioneered special Braille inclusive banking forms for the convenience of the visually impaired citizens, a statement said.

The Standard Chartered has also been deploying innovative technologies for the world-class financial services, besides enabling the socioeconomic growth for the impoverished and the persons-with-disabilities, it added.

Launched in collaboration with Pakistan’s Assistive Technology Startup – Boltay Huroof, this initiative will offer valuable facilities for the support and wellbeing of the bank’s ‘Special’ clients.

Continuing with its generous contributions to elevate the banking experience for its clients, the bank hosted a formal ceremony to commemorate the partnership. This landmark agreement was signed between the co-founder of ‘Boltay Huroof’ Hafiz Sheikh Umar Farooq and the Head of CPBB (SCBPL) Saadya Riaz.

During the event, ‘Boltay Huroof’ showcased the new banking forms of the Standard Chartered Bank that have been converted with Braille-inclusive features. Other Braille-supported facilities were also presented, including the first Braille animal-book.

Rehan Shaikh, chief executive officer of Standard Chartered Bank, said: “At Standard Chartered, we aim to build a culture of inclusion that is a critical lever to our business success and will enable us to be the best place to work, the best place to bank and contribute to creating prosperous communities.”

“This commitment to diversity and inclusion also helps us build a culture of innovation, respect and equality. The partnership with ‘Boltay Huroof’ has helped us launch an innovative solution that will make it easier for the visually impaired persons, to open bank accounts and engage in financial activities at all branches of the bank,” he added.

“The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has played a leading role in creating an environment to facilitate financial inclusion and, we as a bank, will continue to remove barriers and simplify access to finance for the people with disabilities.”

Hafiz Sheikh Umar Farooq, co-founder of Boltay Huroof said: “True inclusion can only become possible when we accommodate every segment of the society in our social, educational and economic systems. This initiative towards financial inclusion by the Standard Chartered Bank will bring an empowering difference in the lives of the visually impaired persons and Boltay Hurrof is privileged to partner with the Standard Chartered.”

Distinguished guests at the signing ceremony included Naya Pakistan Housing Scheme Chairman Zaigham Rizvi, Special Olympics Pakistan Chairperson Ronak Lakhani, Zaamin Builders Managing Director Sarwat Nasim Shah and the Exhibitor TV Co-Founder Adeeb Ejaz, who formed the management board to oversee this startup and appreciated SCBPL’s efforts towards broadening the financial inclusion.

A visually impaired person, Saud attended the ceremony and shared real-life stories of his childhood and his interactions with other visually impaired children.

Most of these children were deprived of the opportunity to seek education, conduct financial transactions, or engage in the socioeconomic activities.

Saud emphasised on the importance of Braille-inclusive services and how the special children, their parents, siblings and teachers, can learn to make their lives more comfortable, productive and independent.