Islamabad – The Centre for Aerospace & Security Studies (CASS), Islamabad, hosted a thought-provoking webinar titled “Financial Inclusion for Economic Security,” bringing together leading experts to explore how inclusive financial systems can strengthen Pakistan’s resilience, stability, and long-term development. The CASS roundtable featured Dr Usman W. Chohan, Advisor on Economic Affairs and National Development at CASS, who emphasized that financial inclusion is central to Pakistan’s National Security Policy.

He argued that a participatory economy—where citizens are active stakeholders—creates the material foundation for national security. Dr Chohan called for an emancipatory economic model aligned with the vision of Quaid-e-Azam, asserting that widespread financial access would empower citizens to defend and develop their nation.

Ms Quratulain Chaudhry, Executive Manager at Mobilink Microfinance, stressed that financial literacy is essential for inclusion and national resilience. She highlighted the need for a multidimensional ecosystem that connects finance with healthcare, education, and household needs. Citing examples of design thinking tailored to public needs, she emphasized the importance of empowering women—Pakistan’s demographic majority—through digital ownership, gender-segregated data, and cross-sector collaboration.

Ms Eshal Urooj, Research Associate at the Punjab Social Protection Authority, noted that while access to formal financial systems has improved, retention remains a challenge. She warned that formality alone does not guarantee safety, pointing to scams and fraud as persistent risks. Advocating a preventive approach, she outlined five policy priorities: interoperability, data protection, gender-responsive measures, regulatory innovation, and policy coherence across ministries.

In his concluding remarks, President CASS Air Marshal Javaid Ahmed (Retd) reinforced the view that financial inclusion is a cornerstone of economic security. He called for coordinated national efforts to build a financially inclusive Pakistan where every citizen contributes to—and benefits from—shared prosperity.

The CASS roundtable underscored the urgent need for inclusive financial strategies that not only drive economic growth but also reinforce social cohesion and national security.