- 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 & Sustainable Development. She is also voluntarily working for different community development programs. She is foreign qualified, holds Masters in International Banking & 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 & 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 culture in Pakistani Banking Industry, the CSR agenda for most of the banks focuses on health, education, disaster management, welfare and others mix bag philanthropic activities in order to give relief for better solution in social crisis and rehabilitation.
PAGE: Do you think CSR could be leveraged for poverty alleviation in Pakistan?
Sabeen Gul:Â I reckon that Pakistan, since 2004 is collectively facing disasters such as earth quake and catastrophic flood disasters that raised the long lasting devastating impacts on the society as a whole. In Pakistan where majority of population is illiterate, deprived of basic human needs and live below the poverty line, CSR could be a possible leverage for poverty alleviation. Due to insufficient public sector development programs, corporate CSR activities could be of great help. Due to its striking significance around the globe, CSR today is considered to be more of social investment to help the under privileged marginalized communities and its impact is widely recognized in the sustainable development of the society.
The Government of Pakistan has also encouraged the corporate sector both public and private to contribute to CSR activities for their due share in poverty eradication. Extending hands in reducing poverty is not a joke; it requires sincere efforts and meaningful cooperation among stakeholders in the society. What I believe that in Pakistan role of state is not enough for solving the economic issues related to poverty alleviation and this is what we are witnessing daily when people are committing suicides as they are not able to meet their ends thus the due weightage to social responsibility encompasses primarily social indicators like health, education, employment, income etc. by corporates could be an integral solution that augments the government role in reducing poverty.
PAGE: Kindly shed some light on NBP’s role in health, education and human capital development sector
Sabeen Gul: Engagement in socially responsible activities offers additional opportunities to distinguish from competitors and to improve the perceived quality of services in the eyes of the public. Likewise, CSR practices of National Bank of Pakistan focus on sectors that are classified as “priority sectors” such as health, education, environment, women’s empowerment, WASH and Differently Abled People. NBP also aims to build sustainable relationships with organizations instead of making one time donations. We at NBP significantly support the UN SDGs toward mitigating many economic and social problems.
In year 2022, NBP CSR activities directly achieved the SDG Goals # 6, 10, 4 that is Clean Water & Sanitation, Reduced Inequalities, Quality Education respectively which also helped in achieving SDG # 3, 5 and 17 that is Good Health & Well Being, Gender Equity and Partnerships for the Goals.
NBP has contributed in the health sector by providing financial and equipment support to different organizations. Bank also organizes medical & eye camps countrywide for free treatment of underprivileged patients.
I strongly believe that investing in higher education is akin to investing in the leaders of tomorrow, an investment that would always bring high returns and many benefits in the years to come. For the same reason, in education sector, NBP is working with an aim for expediting and facilitating socio-economic development through the spread of knowledge and skills at the grassroots level. Bank is supporting different schools for the education of less privileged students across Pakistan. We are also supporting IT education by providing financial aid in setting up IT labs particularly for girls.
We also strongly believe in investing in human capital that’s why we at NBP provide fair chance of learning and development at workplace. In this regard our HR Group and staff colleges are working really hard to provide a work culture that encourages creativity, skill improvement and other employee benefits etc. I myself is a classic example; during my tenure at NBP when I got a chance to further broaden my education from abroad, NBP provided every possible support that I was expecting and successfully completed my Masters from University of Southampton, England and joined back NBP.
NBP has always invested in giving back to the community and improving conditions for employees and the environment. We will continue to serve the people of Pakistan, and impact public life in various cities across Pakistan. I must say, if anyone of the reader who has an exciting CSR proposal for us, please do not hesitate to reach out at sabeen.gul@nbp.com.pk
PAGE: How do you think banks could play their part in disaster relief and response keeping in view the threat of climate change for Pakistan?
Sabeen Gul:Â A recent CCDR (Country Climate & Development Report) warned that the combined risks of extreme climate-related events, environmental degradation, and air pollution are projected to reduce Pakistan’s GDP by at least 18 to 20% by 2050. This will stall progress on economic development and poverty reduction. We also recently witnessed the COVID-19 pandemic and catastrophic flood impact on Pakistan economy that how it drastically impacted the people lives who were already struggling prior to these crises.
I believe that financial institutions particularly those who have their footprints across Pakistan can be the key players during and after crises because their staff, customers, and communities may be directly impacted, and they can deploy resources to mitigate some of the resulting hardships. They can play a vital role in disaster relief and response and can leverage their resources to reassure customers and stabilize communities. They can finance concrete adaptation projects and programs to the Kyoto Protocol to reduce the adverse effects of climate change facing in Pakistan.
As in Pakistan, earth quake and particularly floods are the frequent major disasters, banks can proactively help by protecting their mortgages and commercial loans by maintaining a sound disaster relief insurance compliance program to ensure that borrowers obtaining loans located in disaster areas maintain the required amount of insurance. Likewise, encouragement to customers to adopt ADC (alternative delivery channels) address immediate liquidity needs and avoids frustrating income disruptions during and shortly after a crisis. They should also contact their primary regulators with specific questions about preparing for and responding to natural disasters or emergencies.
In addition, being an important player in the economy the banks should realize the need of including their social responsibility as a part of their long-term policy where they are expected to deliver their jobs satisfactorily. Concisely, it includes financial assistance or donation for education, helping the underprivileged masses to alleviate poverty, using and promoting environmentally safe techniques and products, and even investing in infrastructure.
Disclaimer: Ideas presented in this interview are that of interviewee and does not reflect the organization’s policies she is working for.