ISLAMABAD
A developed capital market is indispensable for sustainable economic growth, veteran businessman Arif Habib said at the SECP Talk Series, where he shared insights from over five decades in Pakistan’s capital markets.
The session, attended by SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Commissioners, market institutions, academia and business leaders, explored the evolution of Pakistan’s capital markets, long-term investing and the reforms needed to deepen investor participation.
Opening the session, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the Talk Series aims to institutionalize knowledge-sharing by connecting regulators with experienced market practitioners to support evidence-based policymaking. He highlighted SECP’s ongoing reforms, including digital investor onboarding, implementation of the T+1 settlement cycle, and initiatives to expand the investor base to 2.5 million through greater financial inclusion and easier market access.
“Our objective is to build a capital market ecosystem that is transparent, accessible and aligned with global standards,” he said.
Reflecting on more than five decades in the market, Mr. Arif Habib traced Pakistan’s capital market journey from open-outcry trading floors to today’s technology-driven marketplace.
