Digital banking has transformed the way people manage their finances, offering convenience, efficiency and independence. However, for many people with visual impairment in Pakistan, recent developments have had the opposite effect. For the last eight years, I have independently managed my banking through accessible mobile applications using screen-reading technology. I have been able to pay utility bills, transfer funds, shop online and handle financial transactions without depending on others.

Unfortunately, after a recent update to my bank’s mobile application, my whole independence came to an abrupt end. The application now refuses access whenever android’s TalkBack accessibility service is enabled, effectively preventing users with visual impairment from logging into their accounts.

This is not an isolated case. Members of the visually impaired community have reported similar accessibility barriers in the mobile applications of several other banks as well. These accessibility features are not security risks; they are essential assistive technologies that allow blind and visually impaired people to use their smartphones independently. The problem extends beyond mobile applications.

Many persons with disabilities continue to face unnecessary difficulties while opening bank accounts or seeking routine banking services, because bank staff often lack adequate awareness of accessibility and disability rights. Thousands of visually impaired people in Pakistan receive their salaries through banks and rely on digital banking in their daily lives. Denying access to banking is not merely a continued inconvenience; it compromises independence, privacy, dignity and equal participation in society. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) should establish and enforce mandatory accessibility standards for banking platforms across the board, ensuring compatibility with screen-readers and other assistive technology-related tools. Besides, banks should also ensure that future software updates do not disable any accessibility feature, and should provide appropriate disability awareness training to their staff.

Dr Saba Ghizali

Karachi