Walee Financial Services (WFS), a pioneer in ethical and inclusive digital finance in Pakistan, has been recognised among the leading organisations in the Gender-Responsive Marketplace category at the
Pakistan Women’s Empowerment Principles (WEPs) Awards, hosted by UN Women Pakistan.
The recognition celebrates WFS’s flagship women-focused asset-financing program,
Khudmukhtar Khatoon (“Independent Woman”). Delivered in partnership with
Karandaaz Pakistan through WFS’s Shariah-compliant digital financing platform,
Hakeem, the program breaks down systemic barriers to capital for micro and small
enterprise (MSE) owners across Pakistan.
By providing women entrepreneurs with direct access to productive equipment and
ethical financing without requiring a male guarantor, Khudmukhtar Khatoon enables
female enterprise owners to scale operations, build sustainable livelihoods, and gain
long-term economic independence.
The UN Women WEPs Awards—established jointly by UN Women and the UN Global
Compact—honor organizations that take measurable, actionable steps toward
advancing gender equality across the workplace, marketplace, and broader community.
Noshad Minhas, CEO & Co-Founder of Walee Financial Services, commented:
“This recognition by UN Women is a powerful testament to the resilience of Pakistan’s
women micro-entrepreneurs. Through Khudmukhtar Khatoon and our Hakeem platform,
we set out to prove that financial inclusion isn’t about saddling home-based businesses
with debt traps— it’s about providing the actual tools, machines, and dignified Shariah-
compliant capital they need to become self-reliant. We share this honor with our
partners at Karandaaz Pakistan and every woman turning her skill into an enterprise.”
The award was formally presented at the Pakistan WEPs Awards Ceremony on
November 3, 2026, in Karachi, convened alongside leaders from business, civil society,
and international development committed to building an inclusive economy.
For Walee Financial Services, this recognition marks a significant milestone in its
mission to bridge the gender gap in Pakistan’s financial sector. WFS remains committed
to leveraging digital Islamic fintech solutions to ensure that every woman’s
entrepreneurial ambition is met with the capital, trust, and resources needed to
succeed.
