April 20, 2006

Defying traditional norms Akram Khatoon did not marry and instead focussed all her energies on a career that would take her to unprecedented heights, writes Amna Kaleem

Some become successful by getting inspired by others, while some become a source of inspiration themselves. These are the people who break barriers and start new beginnings, who pave the path for the future generations to follow. Ladies’ Forum, ran by a fast food franchise, honours such fine individuals and highlights their achievements. Recently the forum paid tribute to Akram Khatoon, initiator of women’s banking and the founder of the First Women’s Bank in Pakistan.

The gathering started with a brief address by Kausar Asif, Manager Marketing. Describing the activities of the forum, Asif said that it’s a celebration of womanhood. The forum seeks to create awareness regarding the breadth of work being done by women. Following the introduction, Ms Khatoon was called on stage for an interactive talk. A question answer session, conducted by the moderator was facilitated by video clips of Akram Khatoon’s colleagues presenting nostalgic accounts of their professional and personal encounters with her.

During the course of the session, Ms Khatoon shared her earliest memories and narrated anecdotes from her life in united India and the subsequent migration to Pakistan. It was inspiring to know that from the tender age of eight, Akram Khatoon had resolved to devote her life to her parents as they did not have a male offspring. Defying traditional norms she did not get married and instead focussed all her energies on a career that would take her to unprecedented heights.

Owing to her success in the banking sector, one readily assumes Akram Khatoon to have chosen this field out of sheer passion. It was indeed interesting to note that her choice of this career was solely motivated by the monetary attraction of the job. However, being her dedicated and hard working self, she quickly adapted herself to this field of work, and as they say the rest is history.

Akram Khatoon’s 41-year career boasts of achievements such as the introduction of the micro-finance banking, establishment of a women’s branch of the bank and the subsequent establishment of the First Women’s Bank, initiation of training programmes for female entrepreneurs and skill development centres. She has also been a member of the board of governors of NIPA. Having retired from the banking sector, Akram Khatoon told the audience that she now spends her time writing articles for different publications and polishing her culinary skills, an activity she could not indulge in during her banking years.

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