Author name: Press Release

Karachi, July 6, 2026: Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited (PSX) released a Concept Paper on the PSX Sustainability Index (PSI), marking a defining milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward mainstream sustainable finance. The PSI is a proposed benchmark designed to identify and measure the performance of listed companies that embed financially relevant and material environmental, social, and governance risks and opportunities in their business models. Commenting on the development, Mr. Farrukh Sabzwari, Chief Executive Officer of Pakistan Stock Exchange, said: “ESG is no longer a conversation held at the margins of capital markets, it is increasingly central to how companies are valued, how capital is allocated, and how long-term risks are priced. The PSX Sustainability Index is our commitment to giving Pakistan’s capital markets a credible, transparent, and internationally comparable tool to identify companies that are not simply performing today but are building the resilience to perform tomorrow.” The PSI is designed as a total-return performance benchmark, applying a rigorous, materiality-adjusted scoring methodology across Environmental, Social, and Governance pillars. Sector-specific factor weights ensure that companies are assessed against the risks and opportunities that are genuinely financially relevant to their business, not a uniform checklist applied indiscriminately across industries. The Index is relevant to listed companies seeking recognition and access to responsible capital, asset managers and institutional investors building ESG-aligned products on a credible benchmark, and investors seeking structured exposure to companies with sustainable business models. PSX believes that broad market consultation is essential to building an index that reflects the realities of Pakistan’s corporate landscape, accommodates the current state of sustainability disclosure, and sets a clear and achievable improvement pathway for companies across all sectors. Stakeholders are invited to submit written comments no later than 17 July 2026, via email to pd@psx.com.pk. The Concept Paper is available on the PSX website at: https://dps.psx.com.pk/download/attachment/279463-1.pdf

Karachi, July 06, 2026: Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, along with leading entrepreneurs of Pakistan, visited the Arif Habib Group’s Head Office, where he met with the Group’s leadership to discuss Pakistan’s economic outlook, capital markets, the investment climate and the Government’s ongoing reform agenda. The leadership of the Arif Habib Group appreciated the Finance Minister’s stewardship of the economy during a challenging period and acknowledged the progress made in restoring macroeconomic stability. Discussions highlighted the decline in inflation to single-digit levels, the reduction in policy rates, improved fiscal and external sector indicators, strengthening foreign exchange reserves and renewed investor confidence. Pakistan’s successful progress under the IMF programme and the improvement in its sovereign ratings outlook were also recognised as important milestones in rebuilding confidence and laying the foundation for long-term economic growth. The meeting also noted the exceptional performance of Pakistan’s capital markets during this period. Since Senator Aurangzeb assumed office in March 2024, the benchmark KSE-100 Index has risen from approximately 65,000 points to over 180,000 points, while FY2026 delivered an annual return of approximately 43.5% and market capitalisation surpassed Rs. 20 trillion. The revival of IPO activity was recognised as another encouraging indicator of renewed corporate confidence and growing investor participation in Pakistan’s equity markets. While acknowledging the positive direction of the Federal Budget, participants discussed the need for further measures to stimulate private investment, create employment and enhance government revenues. The discussion recognised the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC)’s priority sectors, including agriculture, mining, infrastructure and information technology, as key drivers of Pakistan’s next phase of economic growth and emphasised the importance of accelerating investment and implementation in these areas. Particular emphasis was placed on the construction sector as one of the fastest avenues for stimulating economic activity. Participants noted that revitalising construction would generate immediate employment, utilise idle capacity across allied industries, increase government revenues and deliver meaningful economic growth without adversely impacting the current account. The meeting also highlighted the opportunity to unlock the Government’s extensive land bank through public-private partnership (PPP) models, with land contributed as equity to catalyse housing and infrastructure development and accelerate project execution. The discussion further underscored the importance of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) as a transparent, fully documented investment vehicle capable of mobilising domestic liquidity into productive sectors, supporting infrastructure development and broadening investment opportunities. As a pioneer of Pakistan’s REIT sector, the Arif Habib Group reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the Government in leveraging REITs and public-private partnerships to unlock investment, accelerate development, create employment and foster sustainable economic growth. Speaking on the occasion, Mr. Arif Habib, Chairman, Arif Habib Group, said: “The progress achieved in restoring macroeconomic stability has laid a strong foundation for Pakistan’s next phase of growth. The remarkable performance of the Pakistan Stock Exchange and the revival of IPO activity reflect renewed investor confidence. The next step is to translate this stability into higher investment, greater employment and sustained economic expansion. Accelerating development across the SIFC’s priority sectors, while revitalising construction through public-private partnerships and wider utilisation of REITs, presents one of the fastest and most effective opportunities to create jobs, enhance government revenues and unlock Pakistan’s economic potential. The private sector stands ready to partner with the Government in achieving these objectives.” Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb thanked the Arif Habib Group for its continued contribution to Pakistan’s economy and capital markets and reaffirmed the Government’s commitment to maintaining macroeconomic stability, implementing structural reforms and fostering an investment-friendly environment through continued collaboration with the private sector. “The Government remains committed to maintaining macroeconomic stability while implementing structural reforms that strengthen Pakistan’s competitiveness and improve the ease of doing business. Sustainable economic growth will be driven by private sector investment, vibrant capital markets and continued collaboration between government and industry. We value the constructive engagement of institutions such as the Arif Habib Group in supporting Pakistan’s economic development.” The meeting concluded with a shared commitment to maintaining close engagement between policymakers and the private sector to deepen Pakistan’s capital markets, encourage productive investment, expand employment opportunities and support Pakistan’s long-term economic growth.

Lahore, July 2, 2026:Pakistan International Airlines (PIA) has launched its inaugural non-stop flight from Lahore to Manchester. Flight PK709 departed today from Lahore, marking the commencement of direct air services between the two cities. A simple yet dignified inauguration ceremony was held at Allama Iqbal International Airport, Lahore. A cake-cutting ceremony was organized to commemorate the occasion, and PIA Chief Operating Officer, Khurram Mushtaq, bid farewell to the passengers before departure. Passengers welcomed the restoration of direct air connectivity between Lahore and Manchester, describing it as a significant development for the Pakistani community residing in the United Kingdom. They expressed confidence that the resumption of direct flights would further strengthen people-to-people ties between Pakistan and the UK. The inaugural flight departed with 325 passengers on board.Earlier, the first direct flight from Manchester to Lahore departed last night. The flight was seen off by PIA’s local management and officials of the Manchester Airport Group. The launch of direct Lahore–M With the introduction of this new service, PIA now operates a total of five weekly flights between Pakistan and Manchester. Of these, four weekly flights operate from Islamabad, while one weekly flight operates from Lahore. This expansion will provide greater convenience and enhanced travel options for the Pakistani community living in the United Kingdom.