Former actor Mashal Khan discussed the importance of women being financially independent and prepared for all circumstances, urging them not to expect the worst but to be ready for it.
In an interview, Mashal stated, "What I am doing now is my mission. Who else in Pakistan is going to teach people the importance of financial planning? Everyone is just selling something, sharing a link, or making their own money," she said.
Noting the importance of financial planning for women in particular, Mashal questioned, "What happens if the husband dies and everything goes to his family? Where will you go when your safety was tied to him and not in a good way?" She continued, "You do not do financial planning because you hope something bad will happen, but rather because there is a rare risk that you may someday have to handle a difficult situation."
Mashal added, "Financial literacy is not just a woman’s issue."
According to the former actor, investors and business owners in Pakistan often took advantage of ordinary people while catering primarily to the elite. "The common person fears going to a bank branch. Even now, advertisements run in English, the slogans are in English. You do not serve an ordinary person," she said.
Further, Mashal shared her views regarding poverty and Pakistan's education levels, emphasising that she wanted to be someone who made a positive difference. "Many people ask me why I do not apply abroad and get better opportunities. What kind of person would I be if I had every chance to do something for my own country but instead I made a name for myself and left to go abroad?" she noted.
Moving to discuss the ways in which men and women differed in their approach to financial decision-making, Mashal argued that the former could be more influenced by their ego than women, which could affect their financial decisions and everyday business transactions. "I think men’s worst quality is that they let ego dictate their decisions. Ego is the worst emotion to have. Women adapt and overcome. They actually historically make better fund managers than men globally," she said.
