HBL Extends Rs. 3.5 Billion Term Finance Facility to Kashf Foundation for Women Entrepreneurs
Lahore, Pakistan – 06 May 2025: HBL announced the extension of a Rs. 3.5 billion Term Finance Facility to Kashf Foundation to bolster lending to women entrepreneurs across the country. This landmark partnership underscores HBL’s commitment to financial inclusion and women’s economic empowerment by enabling Kashf to provide affordable credit to thousands of women-led small businesses.
By collaborating with Pakistan’s pioneering women-focused microfinance institution, HBL and Kashf will significantly expand financial services to women entrepreneurs in remote and underserved communities. The funds will enable Kashf to lend to micro and small enterprises owned by women. This partnership highlights how inclusive financing can drive sustainable economic growth and reduce poverty.
Roshaneh Zafar, Kashf Foundation & Faisal N. Lalani, HBL, exchanging agreements at the official signing ceremony to mark the beginning of a strategic partnership for women’s economic empowerment.
Front (L to R): Imran Amjad, Head of Financial Institutions, HBL, Roshaneh Zafar, Founder & Managing Director, Kashf Foundation, Faisal N. Lalani, Group Head Financial Institutions, HBL & Shahzad Iqbal, Chief Financial Officer, Kashf Foundation
Back (L to R): Syed Ahsan Mehdi, GM NBFI & Global CPM, HBL, Yasir Arjumand, Head of Finance, Kashf Foundation & Syed Salman Rizvi, DGM – NBFI, HBL
Faisal N. Lalani, Group Head Financial Institutions – HBL, said, “At HBL, we recognize the immense potential of women entrepreneurs to transform our economy. This is a significant step towards bridging the gap in access to capital that many women-led businesses face. We are enabling Kashf to reach thousands of women with the financing they need. The HBL is committed to supporting women, advocating for financial independence, and inspiring women entrepreneurs across Pakistan.”
Kashf Foundation is a leader in women’s microfinance and economic empowerment, with a nationwide network of over 400 branches serving roughly 900,000 active women entrepreneurs. Roshaneh Zafar, Founder & Managing Director of Kashf Foundation, added, “This financing is a game-changer for women’s access to capital in Pakistan. With HBL’s support, we can increase the number of women entrepreneurs we serve, who have the drive and ideas to grow but often lack formal financing options. These funds will help women expand their businesses and invest in their futures, lifting entire families and communities. Through this partnership, we are empowering vulnerable communities and contributing to economic growth by investing in low-income families. We are grateful to HBL for partnering with us to make women’s economic empowerment a reality. Together, we can build a more inclusive economy for Pakistan where women have equal opportunities to succeed.”
HBL & Kashf Foundation exchange tokens of appreciation at the official signing ceremony, celebrating a shared commitment to financial inclusion and social impact at the Kashf Head Office, Lahore.
L to R: Yasir Arjumand, Head of Finance, Kashf Foundation, Shahzad Iqbal, Chief Financial Officer, Kashf Foundation,
Imran Amjad, Head of Financial Institutions, HBL, Roshaneh Zafar, Founder & Managing Director, Kashf Foundation, Faisal N. Lalani, Group Head Financial Institutions, HBL, Syed Ahsan Mehdi, GM NBFI & Global CPM, HBL& Syed Salman Rizvi, DGM – Non Banking Financial Institutions, HBL
