I feel elated to see the Bank rising to new heights. Leaving aside a troubled period of 1996-1997 when the Bank encountered a forex loss and thereafter its entanglement in an enforced litigation relating to its privatisation which affected its operations adversely, the Bank has had a glorious past. Being the pioneer in micro credit and entrepreneurial skill development training programmes in Pakistan, it created employment and self-employment opportunities for women for mainstreaming women in the economic process. For furthering the cause of women, FWBL was the first to receive the prestigious "Euro Money" award in 1994 for being the Best Bank in Pakistan. I congratulate its President, Zarine Aziz (whose association with the bank has always delighted me), for making new waves in the realm of banking by achieving such excellent financial results for the years 2002 and 2003.

I pray to Allah Almighty to bestow even more success and glory to the Bank.