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Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX), the country’s only regulated commodity futures exchange, recorded a sharp rise in trading activity during FY2025-26, with annual turnover surging to Rs9.77 trillion despite limited public awareness of the platform and a broker network that has remained largely unchanged over the years. The exchange reported average daily trading volume of Rs32 billion and monthly turnover of Rs977 billion during the fiscal year. Activity peaked at a record Rs177 billion in a single day on October 17, 2025, while monthly volume reached an all-time high of Rs1.8 trillion in October. The growth highlights increasing investor interest in alternative asset classes and commodity-linked products at a time when Pakistan’s financial markets are gradually broadening beyond traditional investments such as stocks, bank deposits and real estate. PMEX Chief Executive Officer Khurram Zafar in an interview said the exchange’s performance demonstrates growing demand for regulated investment avenues, although awareness about commodity trading remains considerably lower than its actual market size. “Many people still do not know that Pakistan has a regulated commodity exchange that opens foot 22 hours and records tens of billions of rupees in daily transactions,” he said while speaking to The Boardroom Pakistan. According to PMEX data, total accounts opened on the platform have reached 67,585. Gold remained the most actively traded product during the fiscal year, followed by currencies traded through Contracts of Trade (COTs), silver, indices and platinum. The dominance of gold reflects investors’ preference for safe-haven assets during periods of economic uncertainty and exchange rate volatility. Currency contracts also attracted significant participation as businesses and investors sought tools to manage foreign exchange risks. Despite the impressive growth in trading volumes, PMEX continues to operate through a relatively small network of approximately 60 to 70 active brokers, a number that industry participants say has remained broadly stagnant for years. The contrast between rising trading activity and a limited broker base has raised questions about the untapped potential of Pakistan’s commodity market. Market experts believe that greater investor education and wider participation could significantly expand the size of the exchange. Unlike many international online trading platforms, PMEX follows a broker-mediated model in which investors access the market through licensed intermediaries, noted the CEO. While this structure strengthens regulatory oversight and investor protection, it also limits direct engagement between the exchange and retail investors. Meanwhile, foreign online trading applications have rapidly gained popularity among young Pakistanis through aggressive digital marketing campaigns. The trend has become increasingly visible as smartphone penetration and broadband connectivity expand across the country. Thousands of young investors have opened accounts on offshore trading platforms that offer direct access to foreign exchange, commodities and other instruments. According to Zafar, the popularity of such platforms is driven not only by technology and marketing but also by their ability to directly engage potential investors. He noted that regulated institutions face significantly higher compliance obligations imposed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and other regulatory authorities. These compliance requirements increase operational costs but provide safeguards designed to protect investors and ensure market integrity. Unregulated platforms, on the other hand, often operate outside Pakistan’s regulatory framework while competing for the same pool of investors. Industry observers argue that the rapid growth of these platforms demonstrates strong appetite for investment products among Pakistan’s youth and middle-income households. Rather than viewing the trend as a threat, they suggest policymakers should focus on expanding the regulated investment ecosystem to accommodate growing demand. The government has already initiated efforts to bring some international digital trading and virtual asset platforms such as Binance under regulatory oversight, reflecting a broader shift towards formalising emerging financial markets. For PMEX, however, the significance of growing trading volumes extends beyond investment activity. Zafar believes commodity exchanges can play a wider role in improving market efficiency across the economy. A well-functioning commodity exchange helps establish transparent prices, reduce information gaps and improve confidence among market participants. Such mechanisms are particularly important in developing economies where commodity markets are often fragmented and characterised by inconsistent pricing. The exchange is also promoting the development of certified warehousing and electronic warehouse receipt systems that could eventually support agricultural commodities such as wheat, rice and other crops. Such systems would allow farmers to store produce in accredited facilities and obtain financing against warehouse receipts rather than selling immediately after harvest at depressed prices. Supporters argue that this approach can strengthen supply chains, reduce post-harvest losses and improve returns for producers while ensuring more stable supplies for processors and consumers. Globally, major commodity exchanges play a critical role in connecting producers, consumers, traders, financiers and investors within organised marketplaces. Analysts say Pakistan’s commodity sector remains at an early stage compared to international markets, but the rapid growth in PMEX trading volumes indicates increasing acceptance of commodity-linked investment products. With turnover approaching Rs10 trillion, record trading activity and a growing investor base, PMEX is gradually emerging as an important component of Pakistan’s financial infrastructure. The challenge now is converting that momentum into broader public participation and deeper integration with the real economy. For a platform that remains unfamiliar to many Pakistanis despite handling billions of rupees in daily transactions, the latest growth figures suggest that commodity trading is moving steadily from the margins towards the mainstream of the country’s investment landscape

KARACHI: Chairman Businessmen Group (BMG) Zubair Motiwala and President Karachi Chamber of Commerce & Industry (KCCI) Rehan Hanif have called upon the federal government to avoid repeating policy mistakes that have damaged economic activity, weakened exports, discouraged investment, and undermined industrial competitiveness, urging policymakers to seriously consider the business community’s recommendations while finalizing the Federal Budget 2026-27. In a joint statement, KCCI leadership stated that the disappointing outcomes of several fiscal measures introduced over the past two years should serve as a cautionary lesson for policymakers. They emphasized that many of these measures had been strongly opposed by KCCI well before their implementation, with detailed warnings supported by facts and economic analysis. Unfortunately, those concerns were ignored, resulting in consequences that have adversely affected businesses, exports, investment, employment, and government revenues. Commenting on the shift of exporters from the Final Tax Regime (FTR) to the Normal Tax Regime (NTR) under the Finance Act 2024, Zubair Motiwala stated that KCCI had categorically warned that increasing the tax burden on exporters would prove counterproductive. “The government adopted a short-term revenue approach without considering its long-term impact on exports and economic growth. The results are now evident. Pakistan’s exporter base has shrunk, export competitiveness has suffered, and tax collection from exporters has failed to achieve the desired outcome. At a time when global supply chain disruptions and geopolitical developments presented a unique opportunity for Pakistan to capture additional export markets, the country failed to capitalize on those opportunities.” He reiterated KCCI’s demand for the immediate restoration of the Final Tax Regime at a 1 percent rate for all exporters, stressing that export growth remains the most sustainable path towards improving foreign exchange reserves and economic stability. President KCCI Rehan Hanif expressed serious concern over the removal of the Export Facilitation Scheme (EFS) benefits on yarn and fabric. He stated that the scheme had played a critical role in enhancing the competitiveness of Pakistan’s export-oriented industries. “KCCI had never supported misuse of the scheme, but instead of abolishing the facility, we had proposed stricter monitoring and reforms to ensure transparency and fairness. Unfortunately, the decision has negatively impacted exporters’ liquidity while failing to achieve the intended objectives.” KCCI leadership also strongly criticized the continuation of Super Tax under Section 4C, describing it as a punitive levy that discourages growth, investment and entrepreneurship. “Taxing success is neither a sustainable nor growth-oriented policy. Businesses that expand, invest and create employment should be encouraged rather than penalized. While such taxes may generate short-term revenues, they significantly damage investor confidence, discourage foreign direct investment and force businesses to postpone or abandon expansion plans”, said Zubair Motiwala. Highlighting the severe challenges facing industry due to energy costs, Rehan Hanif noted that KCCI has consistently advocated for regionally competitive utility pricing. He said that the withdrawal of Regionally Competitive Energy Tariff (RCET) had severely undermined Pakistan’s export competitiveness, making industrial electricity among the most expensive in the region. “Countries such as India, Bangladesh and Vietnam continue to attract export orders due to their competitive energy pricing structures while Pakistani exporters struggle with unsustainable production costs. The restoration of RCET is essential to revive industrial growth, generate employment, increase exports and strengthen the national economy,” he remarked. Referring to gas pricing and supply policies, Zubair Motiwala observed that successive governments have failed to address structural flaws within the energy sector while burdening productive industries with the costs of inefficiencies, leakages, theft and cross-subsidies. “Industrial consumers, who maintain one of the highest bill recovery rates in the country, are unfairly carrying the financial burden of systemic inefficiencies. Despite repeated tariff increases and policy interventions, circular debt continues to rise. This demonstrates that existing policies are failing to address the root causes of the problem,” he said. To resolve these longstanding issues, Chairman BMG proposed the segregation of SSGC operations into separate entities for industrial and non-industrial consumers, enabling transparent accounting, improved efficiency and better identification of sources contributing to circular debt. Motiwala also raised concerns regarding a number of regulatory and taxation measures that continue to create unnecessary hardships for businesses. These include annual biometric verification requirements under SRO 350, unresolved technical flaws in the digital invoicing framework requires further refinement and testing before full-scale implementation. We strongly recommend extending the integration deadline until December 2026 to allow businesses and authorities sufficient time to address existing shortcomings,” he added. KCCI leadership, however, appreciated Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif for his positive engagement with the business community during his recent meeting with KCCI on June 1, 2026. They welcomed several important commitments made by the Prime Minister, including the establishment of a PRAL office in Karachi, expeditious processing of pending sales tax refunds, regular presence of senior FBR officials in Karachi, and amendments to the Electric Vehicle Policy aimed at promoting local manufacturing and reducing dependence on imports. “These measures reflect a positive response to genuine concerns raised by the business community and demonstrate the Prime Minister’s willingness to engage constructively with stakeholders”, said Motiwala. In their concluding remarks, Chairman BMG Zubair Motiwala and President KCCI Rehan Hanif urged the government to carefully review the recommendations submitted by KCCI and other trade bodies before finalizing the Federal Budget 2026-27. “The business community is not merely highlighting problems; it is offering practical, evidence-based solutions to strengthen Pakistan’s economy. Policymakers must recognize that economic growth, export expansion, industrialization and revenue generation are interlinked objectives that can only be achieved through consultation and partnership with the private sector. The government must reverse policies that have demonstrably failed and adopt measures that promote investment, competitiveness, exports and sustainable economic growth. Pakistan’s economic future depends on a strong partnership between the government and the business community because Pakistan and its entrepreneurs cannot succeed in isolation”, they concluded.

Karachi, June 7, 2026: Renowned businessman and investor Aqeel Karim Dhedhi (AKD) today highlighted the distinctive features and long-term vision of The Arkadians from Creek Developers, an upcoming state-of-the-art residential and commercial development, describing it as “a new Defence within Defence.”Speaking to media representatives, Mr. Dhedhi said that The Arkadians is being designed to redefine contemporary urban living by offering a unique blend of modern residential spaces, commercial opportunities, world-class amenities, and a secure, well-planned environment. He emphasized that the project will introduce a new dimension to modern living by incorporating high-quality infrastructure, thoughtful urban planning, and facilities aimed at enhancing the lifestyle of residents and businesses alike. Mr. Dhedhi noted with satisfaction that overseas Pakistanis are increasingly investing their capital in Pakistan, reflecting growing confidence in the country’s economic prospects and investment climate. He said that the participation of expatriate Pakistanis in landmark projects such as The Arkadians demonstrates their commitment to contributing to Pakistan’s development and prosperity.“The Arkadians is not merely a real estate project; it is a vision for the future. We are creating a modern, integrated community that will set new benchmarks for quality, convenience, and sustainable growth,” he said. Expressing optimism about the national economy, Mr. Dhedhi said he believes Pakistan is on a positive trajectory and that economic indicators point toward further growth and development.“I am confident that Pakistan’s economy will continue to rise and reach new heights in the years ahead. As confidence grows among local and overseas investors, projects like The Arkadians will play an important role in supporting economic activity, employment generation, and urban development,” he added.The Arkadians is expected to emerge as one of Karachi’s premier mixed-use developments, offering residents and investors a modern lifestyle destination while contributing to the city’s evolving urban landscape.

Karachi: InfraZamin Pakistan (IZP) is honored to announce the launch of its Agri-Storage Portfolio Financing Facility, a flagship initiative emerging from the design deliberations of the Social Impact Financing Committee chaired by the Honorable Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb and the Ministry of Finance led Task Force. The facility is aimed at strengthening the country’s agricultural value chains and addressing persistent post-harvest losses. Once fully deployed the facility will mobilize up to PKR 7.1 billion in private sector capital in agricultural storage investment (PKR 5.0 billion debt and PKR 2.1 billion equity) across farming communities in Pakistan. The facility is supported by a PKR 2.5bn 50% principal credit guarantee coverage from InfraZamin. Funds mobilized will be used towards renovation, upgrade and new development of agri warehousing, silos and cold storage across the country. This is initially being pioneered in partnership with leading financial institutions – Pak Brunei Investment Company Limited (PBICL), Faysal Bank and Bank of Punjab who will offer the facility to their corporate and SME customers. The Social Impact Financing (SIF) framework is outcome-linked; thus, the programme is expected to deliver measurable economic and social outcomes by creating and upgrading over 300,000 metric tons of storage capacity for wheat, grains, fruits, and vegetables across Pakistan over the next two years. The investment will help address critical gaps in agricultural storage infrastructure, reduce post-harvest losses, and improve farmers’ access to better market opportunities, resulting in higher and more stable incomes. The programme is also expected to create direct and indirect employment opportunities across the agri value chain—including warehousing, logistics, transportation, storage management, agri-processing, and trading—while stimulating growth in allied sectors such as packaging, cold-chain logistics, construction, financial services, and agricultural inputs. By generating sustainable livelihood opportunities closer to production areas, the programme is expected to reduce rural-to-urban migration pressures and contribute to broader social outcomes through increased household spending on health, education, and overall wellbeing. In addition, warehouses and silos developed under the facility will be eligible for the State Bank of Pakistan’s Electronic Warehouse Receipt (EWR) financing scheme, and augment ZARKHEZ-E (the Prime Minister’s innovative initiative of uncollateralized loans to small holders farmers) which is backed by the Ministry of Finance to further enhance financial inclusion and access to working capital for farmers. Mr. Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance & Revenue, Government of Pakistan, stated, “This initiative reflects the government’s commitment to encourage private sector led innovative financing solutions linked to impactful specific outcomes that address structural challenges in Pakistan’s agriculture sector. The Ministry of Finance led Task Force for Social Impact Financing has played a pivotal role in bringing together stakeholders to design market-based interventions that mobilise private capital for inclusive and sustainable growth. In this context, no Government of Pakistan guarantee is being offered, and instead InfraZamin has stepped up with a credit guarantee programme that will de-risking private sector participation and crowding in long-term investment into critical agri value chain infrastructure.” Ms. Maheen Rahman, CEO, InfraZamin Pakistan, commented, “This facility will unlock significant private capital investment for agricultural storage in rural/semi-rural areas for all types of produce. We are pleased to offer a portfolio based approached with a 50pc guarantee coverage to our financial partners Pak Brunei, Bank of Punjab, and Faysal Bank to deepen their agri-storage lending which will enable scalable solutions that reduce losses, and strengthen the overall resilience of the agricultural ecosystem. We are grateful to the vision and unwavering support of the Ministry of Finance and our banking partners in bringing this initiative to move towards a food secure Pakistan.” Mr. Zafar Masud, CEO Bank of Punjab / Chairman Pakistan Banks Association, stated, “While such initiatives are great and my felicitations to the taskforce as the first step in this direction, however, such initiatives can only go that far in the absence of a proper EWR and Aggregator Financing (AF) ecosystem. The Governments – both provincial and federal need to get the formal EWR and AF Frameworks rolled out in order to make such initiatives to work at scale. The role of PMEX will remain vital in terms of getting the market – making activities going for the trading of EWRs and perhaps the Listed Sukuks for the AF at scale. Taskforce must work on getting the necessary frameworks done as the next step.” Mr. Yousaf Hussain, CEO Faysal Bank Limited, stated, “Pakistan’s agriculture sector remains critical to the country’s economic resilience, food security, and rural livelihoods. Strengthening agricultural storage and warehousing infrastructure is essential for reducing post-harvest losses and improving efficiency across the agricultural value chain. Faysal Bank is pleased to support this important initiative alongside the Ministry of Finance, InfraZamin, and partner institutions to help mobilise private sector investment in critical agricultural infrastructure and contribute to the sustainable, long-term growth of Pakistan’s agricultural ecosystem.” Mr. Amir Shamim, CEO, Pak Brunei Investment Company Limited, added, “PBICL values the opportunity to collaborate on an initiative that can reshape Pakistan’s agri-storage landscape. At PBICL, we view agri-warehousing not merely as storage infrastructure, but as a vital link in protecting farm value, reducing post-harvest losses, and strengthening national food security. Having already supported this sector through deployed SBP FFSAP facilities, PBICL remains committed to financing SMEs and Corporate agribusinesses through practical, structured solutions. This partnership with InfraZamin will help scale this impact by enabling bankable warehousing, silo, and cold storage projects that serve farmers, businesses, and the wider economy.” InfraZamin is grateful to the support extended for the pioneering initiative by the Ministry of Finance and to the participating financial institutions.

ACCA’s Global Talent Trends 2026 reveals a Pakistani finance workforce defined by extraordinary entrepreneurial drive, deep social purpose, and acute economic pressure – and employers who fail to respond risk losing some of the most motivated talent in the region. Karachi: 03 June, 2026: If there is one word that captures Pakistan’s finance workforce in 2026, it is ambition. New research from ACCA (the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants) finds that 86% of Pakistani finance professionals aspire to become entrepreneurs or business owners at some point in their careers, one of the highest rates recorded anywhere in the world, and a figure that speaks to both the dynamism of Pakistan’s economy and the scale of opportunity that finance professionals see within it. The Global Talent Trends 2026 report, drawing on responses from over 11,000 professionals in 160 countries, including 536 in Pakistan, paints a picture of a workforce that is purpose-driven, technically confident and under significant financial pressure. The combination creates both an opportunity and an urgency for employers operating in the Pakistani market. Social impact is not a trend, it is a deciding factor The survey’s findings on social purpose are among the most striking in the entire global dataset. Eighty-eight percent of Pakistani respondents say an organisation’s reputation on social and human rights issues is a key factor in deciding where to work, far above the global average of 75%, and one of the highest figures recorded across all 160 countries surveyed. Eighty-one percent want to pursue finance roles focused on social impact in the future, and 75% are drawn to careers with an environmental and climate remit. This is not idealism disconnected from economic reality. The report consistently finds that in emerging and developing markets, where social challenges are most visible and most acute, finance professionals see their skills as a direct instrument of change. In Pakistan, that connection is particularly powerful. Assad Hameed Khan, Head of Pakistan at ACCA, said: ‘Pakistan’s finance professionals are not just looking for a job. They are looking for a role in which their skills can contribute to something larger than themselves, whether through the organisation they work for or, increasingly, through building their own. The employers who understand this will find Pakistan an exceptional source of motivated, capable talent. Those who treat it as a cost centre will find retention a persistent and expensive problem.’ Compensation pressure is reaching a tipping point The cost-of-living picture in Pakistan is a defining feature of the data. Nearly two thirds of respondents (65%) are dissatisfied with their current pay, one of the highest rates of pay dissatisfaction in the global survey. An extraordinary 84% say they intend to ask for a pay rise in the next 12 months, compared to a global average of 62%. These are not abstract aspirations: they reflect the sustained economic pressures that Pakistan’s workforce has navigated over recent years, including the impact of inflation on real wages. Critically, the report finds that pay dissatisfaction alone does not fully explain flight risk. Employees who feel engaged and valued are more likely to pursue internal moves. But where organisations are seen to be falling short on pay, purpose or leadership transparency, the risk of departure increases sharply. AI confidence is high but governance questions linger On artificial intelligence, Pakistan’s finance professionals are notably confident. Eighty-eight percent say they feel confident in their ability to learn and apply AI-related skills, above the global average of 82%. More than half (57%) are already regularly using AI tools in their roles. But confidence in how AI is being deployed in recruitment is more measured: 43% say they trust AI algorithms to support fair hiring decisions, with concerns about bias and transparency running through qualitative responses. The conclusion mirrors the global picture: AI in hiring is inevitable, but the profession is demanding that it be governed responsibly. On office attendance, Pakistani respondents are among the most supportive of return-to-office mandates: 77% agree that organisations should require a set number of days in the office each week, and 71% believe office presence positively impacts career progression, notably above the global average of 58%. This reflects both the practical realities of certain roles in Pakistan and a cultural orientation toward visible professional commitment. Mental health remains a concern: 55% of Pakistani respondents say their mental health suffers because of work pressures, in line with the global average. The report identifies a clear link between organisations that fail to support employee wellbeing and higher rates of both disengagement and turnover. ‘The data from Pakistan should be read as a message to employers: the talent is here, the ambition is extraordinary, and the commitment to social purpose is among the strongest anywhere in the world. The question is whether employers are willing to meet that ambition with the investment (in pay, in purpose and in people) that it deserves,’ added Assad.