Pakistan's Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue has intervened to stop Islamic banks from requiring female employees to wear abayas, ruling that a modest national dress code should apply equally to all staff regardless of gender. The decision came during a meeting chaired by Senator Saleem H. Mandviwalla, where lawmakers criticized the gender-specific dress enforcement. Main Developments Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur informed the committee that female employees were allegedly compelled to wear abayas while male staff faced no similar restrictions. Senator Sherry Rehman argued that no employee should be forced into specific attire, noting that a shalwar kameez, as worn by former prime minister Benazir Bhutto, should suffice for women. She emphasized that the state has defined a national dress for both genders. State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmed confirmed that the panel had issued similar guidelines last year, which had already been communicated to all banks. The committee reiterated that it only directed observance of a modest dress code and never mandated any specific garment. It ordered all banks to submit their dress code policies and instructed the SBP to circulate updated guidelines ensuring no employee faces unnecessary compulsion. Read also: Pakistan Cybercrime Agency Summons Journalist Asad Ali Toor Over Fake Info Claim Background The dress code issue emerged from complaints about Islamic banks enforcing abayas on female staff, a practice that lawmakers said violated principles of equal treatment. The committee has previously issued guidance on modest dress codes, but enforcement remained inconsistent. Separately, the panel has long been involved in disputes over honorarium payments to Senate staff, with Mandviwalla criticizing non-compliance with parliamentary directives. The meeting also addressed broader banking concerns, including difficulties faced by Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs) in dealing with commercial banks. MNA Muhammad Moin Amir Pirzada reported that despite earlier directions to designate dedicated officers, no uniform standard operating procedures (SOPs) had been developed. He said his own bank account was closed in April 2023, with no response from the bank or SBP despite repeated correspondence. Why It Matters The ruling sets a precedent for workplace dress codes in Pakistan's banking sector, particularly for Islamic banks that may have interpreted religious guidelines as requiring gender-specific attire. By mandating a uniform modest dress code for all employees, the committee reinforces principles of gender equality in professional settings. The decision also highlights ongoing tensions between parliamentary authority and judicial oversight, as seen in the honorarium payment dispute where Mandviwalla questioned the court's jurisdiction over salary matters. The PEP-related banking issues underscore systemic gaps in customer service and regulatory enforcement. The SBP governor acknowledged that while regulations exist, lapses occur at the branch level, indicating a need for better implementation rather than new rules. The committee's push for uniform SOPs could improve transparency and accountability across the banking industry. What's Next All banks must submit their dress code policies to the committee, and the SBP is to circulate updated guidelines ensuring no employee faces compulsion. The finance ministry has been asked to return to the Supreme Court regarding the honorarium payment issue, with a notice of privilege motion threatened if unresolved within seven days. Revised payslips for Senate Secretariat staff must also be issued within the same timeframe, or the matter will be referred to the Senate Privileges Committee. The committee will continue monitoring PEP-related complaints, with the SBP committing to appoint a dedicated focal person. Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb indicated that future investment protection proposals would be considered within available fiscal space, though extending Reko Diq-style incentives to other projects remains unlikely given current constraints. The FBR chairman reported that Rs476 billion had been collected through electricity bills, including Rs351 billion in sales tax and Rs124 billion in adjustable withholding income tax, a figure that may inform future tax policy discussions.