*  *  Introduction  Supported by high and sustainable economic growth during 2000-2007 Pakistan has made key inroads: poverty incidence has reduced by 10% down to 24%, per capita income doubled to $ and there has been steady progress in other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Turnaround and transformation in banking sector, supported by privatization and restructuring and market oriented policies, has already shown visible results in broadening, deepening and diversifying financial services in the country. However, the growth of financial sector has, as yet, not penetrated across all segments of population and across different regions.