Islamabad, 17 Apr 2025: PSX-Listed Companies are increasingly making strides toward inclusive and ethical investing, and a recent high-profile visit further underlined this trend.
In a significant development aimed at fortifying cross-border cooperation, a distinguished team of Malaysian Shariah-Compliant scholars and industry leaders was warmly received by the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
The event served as a powerful symbol of the deepening ties between Malaysia and Pakistan in the realm of Islamic financial systems.
The delegation was graciously welcomed by PSX Chairperson Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, PSX MD & CEO Farrukh H. Sabzwari, CDC CEO Badiuddin Akber, NCCPL Deputy CEO Imran Ahmed Khan, and PMEX Chairman Farrukh Ansari, along with senior PSX officials and members of the PSX Shariah Focus Group.
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Dr. Akhtar expressed gratitude for Malaysia’s pioneering role in shaping Islamic capital markets globally and highlighted the need to strengthen mutual ties.
Emphasizing the rising trend of faith-based investing, Dr. Akhtar pointed out that over half of PSX-Listed Companies meet Shariah standards.
This positions the exchange as a robust platform for halal investment avenues such as equities, Islamic mutual funds, ETFs, and Sukuk.
Since Pakistan issued its first Ijarah Sukuk in 2008, the country has amassed over Rs. 6.5 trillion in Islamic bonds, as of August 2024, reflecting strong demand and sustained sectoral growth.
Mr. Tariq Naseem, who leads Islamic Finance at the SECP, offered the Malaysian delegation a detailed briefing on Pakistan’s progress in Islamic financial architecture.
He discussed regulatory advancements and evolving market frameworks designed to accommodate both domestic and foreign investor interests.
The session also delved into potential strategic collaborations between the two nations to bolster global Islamic finance.
In his address, Farrukh H. Sabzwari spotlighted the under-penetration of Pakistan’s investment market—only 0.14% of the population currently participates. By comparison, neighboring Bangladesh sees 1% investor participation.
Sabzwari emphasized how digital transformation across market operations could unlock vast growth potential.
He also shared that nearly 80% of daily trades at PSX now meet Shariah-Compliant standards, reflecting how faith-aligned investing is becoming mainstream.
Leaders from the Central Depository Company (CDC), the National Clearing Company (NCCPL), and the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX) reaffirmed their institutions’ vital contributions to Pakistan’s evolving capital market landscape.
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The gathering concluded with renewed commitment by the PSX team to promote a Shariah-Compliant financial ecosystem, driven by the collaborative efforts of the PSX Shariah Focus Group a think tank comprising scholars, regulators, and financial experts.
The Malaysian delegation included top-tier Shariah advisors and finance professionals, reinforcing the shared vision of an inclusive, resilient, and ethically driven financial future.
