Islamic banks asked not to compel female employees to wear abayas

The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has asked Islamic banks not to compel female employees to wear abayas, stressing that only a modest national dress code should apply to all staff regardless of gender.

The committee, chaired by Senator Saleem H. Mandviwalla, discussed complaints about dress code policies at some banks, particularly those offering Islamic banking services.

During the meeting, Senator Dr Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur said female employees were allegedly being forced to wear abayas, while no similar dress requirement was imposed on male staff.

Senator Sherry Rehman said no employee should be compelled to wear a particular outfit. She noted that the national dress already provided an appropriate standard for both men and women, adding that women wearing shalwar kameez, as former prime minister Benazir Bhutto did, should not face restrictions.

State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmed told the committee that similar directions had been issued last year and communicated to all banks.

The committee reiterated that its guidance only required banks to observe a modest dress code and did not prescribe any specific clothing. It directed all banks to submit their dress code policies and instructed the State Bank to issue updated guidelines to ensure that employees are not subjected to unnecessary dress requirements.