Islamabad 23 July: SECP, The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) have officially launched the ESG Pakistan Project, a three-year program to promote Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards in the corporate sector.
This move aims to align Pakistan’s businesses with global sustainability goals.
At the launch event in Islamabad, an awareness workshop was held for stakeholders from the capital markets, corporate leaders, and professionals. SECP Chairperson Akif Saeed emphasized that adopting ESG practices is becoming increasingly important for markets and businesses, especially in climate-vulnerable countries like Pakistan. He said sustainability is no longer optional—it’s necessary for long-term economic health.
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Saeed also spoke about SECP’s previous efforts like the ESG Regulatory Roadmap, Disclosure Guidelines, and the ESG Sustain Portal. He stressed that ESG adoption is essential for Pakistan’s growth.
Zeeshan Sheikh, IFC’s Country Manager, added that sustainability helps businesses perform better, attract investors, and build credibility. He said this project will help raise awareness, improve skills, and create useful rules for companies to follow.
Under this project, the IFC will support SECP through training sessions, ESG guides, and data collection to measure ESG impact, especially through the ESG Sustain Portal.
The project is supported by FIAS (Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services) and funded by CIFPAK, a climate finance program managed by the IFC in partnership with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office.
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