The 9th Annual Global DEI Benchmarks (GDEIB) Awards ceremony, organized by HR Metrics, was held on April 15 at Karachi Marriott, where organizations were recognized for outstanding performance in diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI). Bank Alfalah, Jazz World, HBL, and Engro Polymer & Chemicals were declared the “Best Inclusive Companies of the Year,” while the top 10 also included HBL Microfinance Bank, Mobilink Microfinance Bank, Engro Fertilizers, Faysal Bank, Fatima Group, and Abacus.
Speakers emphasized that inclusion should go beyond policy and be linked with practical actions and accountability. Bank Alfalah CEO Atif Bajwa highlighted the “4Cs” strategy, while HBL CEO Muhammad Nassir Salim spoke about promoting financial inclusion through digital banking. Other speakers discussed efforts to improve women’s representation, leadership, and financial access.
The awards were evaluated by an independent international jury, and the GDEIB framework consists of 15 categories and 275 standards, helping organizations effectively implement inclusive policies.
Overall, companies receiving awards across various GDEIB categories included AGP Limited, Soneri Bank Limited, Metro Pakistan (Private) Limited, Pakistan Tobacco Company, Fauji Foundation, National Bank of Pakistan, Jubilee Life Insurance, Engro Energy Limited, Yunus Textile Mills Limited, Engro Vopak Terminal Limited, Allied Bank Limited, Martin Dow Group, Bayer Pakistan Private Limited, K-Electric Limited, Bank of Punjab, Grey Mackenzie International Restaurants Limited (KFC Pakistan), Greenstar Social Marketing Pakistan Limited, Riphah International University, Faysal Funds, HRSG, Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company, BankIslami Pakistan Limited, CCL Pharmaceuticals (Private) Limited, Jaffer Business Systems Private Limited, Jaffer Brothers (Private) Limited, The Beaconhouse Group, Telenor Pakistan, Oil and Gas Development Company Limited (OGDCL), Liberty Mills Limited, Descon Engineering Limited, Pakistan Petroleum Limited, MG Apparel, Raqami Islamic Digital Bank, and DVAGO Pharmacy & Wellness Experts.
