MoU signed to form Pakistan Stock Exchange

E-Paper | March 03, 2026

ISLAMABAD: A formal memorandum of understanding (MoU) was signed Thursday in the presence of Finance Minister Ishaq Dar to merge the stock markets of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad into a single entity by the name of ‘Pakistan Stock Exchange’.

Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on the occasion said the new integrated capital market would be well received in internationally, adding that soon Pakistan would be regarded as an emerging capital market.

Dar said Pakistan’s economy was growing on the back of the government’s hard work and comprehensive economic policies.

“Financial and oil experts have predicted that Pakistan would be the 18th most stable economy of the world by the year 2018; but the government wants to attain this aim in half the time,” said the finance minister.

Dar said the government’s primary goal after coming into power was to avert the threat of default, and to strengthen the national economy.

On Tuesday, a meeting was held at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to discuss the way forward for the country’s capital market in view of the global trend towards consolidation and integration of stock exchanges.

Take a look: Pakistan Stock Exchange to replace existing bourses.

The integration is expected to help reduce market fragmentation and create a strong case for attracting strategic partnerships necessary for providing technological expertise and assistance.

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Shaid

Aug 27, 2015 11:22pm

That's great news

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m ashraf

Aug 28, 2015 12:25am

It is strange decision as no stock exchange in the world is in the name of country. We should do those works which the other developed countries are doing. It was better to merge Lahore and Islamabad exchanges into Karachi stocks Exchange.

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SYED HASSAN HASEEB

Aug 28, 2015 02:56am

I don't know what will happen . no country is doing like that can any body name one. how all of a sudden pakistanies have become so smart and intelligent to make special ways and system . god bless us they will spoil fin minister is a accountant of foundry.

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SEC

Aug 28, 2015 03:22am

Is there any information as to who would be the owners of the new exchange, and what regulatory bodies would have oversight of the combined exchange? Sounds like a the "banking modernization" , phase is rolling out in full swing, as envisioned by the Senate Finance Committee, according to the news earlier today. Although there is no direct reference in the news about the merged exchange, I can't see how banks's securities dealer operations will not become a big part of any underwriting , given the increased liquidity of the merged exchange, and especially after IMF, World Bank and FTSE grant Pakistan the Emerging Capital Market Status.

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Riaz

Aug 28, 2015 03:42am

may be it is on of the IMF conditions...

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etrading

Aug 28, 2015 04:43am

Good news as this will result in more liquidity and hopefully better price discovery. The strategic partnerships would likely bring electronic trading to the merged exchange. Assuming Islamabad Stock Exchange will be the physical "trading floor" for PSE, it may allow for better oversight by the SECP, due to its proximity. However, the new Pakistani Stock Exchange has a long way to go before sophisticated institutional investors would even consider putting money in companies listed on the exchange. Better regulatory oversight, disclosure and transparency would be a good starting point.

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Wunz

Aug 28, 2015 08:41am

.China can be asked to run this stock exchange.

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N K Ali

Aug 28, 2015 10:27am

The Lahore and Islamabad Stock Exchanges were incorporated under acts of vanity and not ECONOMIC SENSE. Quote: "Vanity can easily overtake wisdom. It usually overtakes common sense." Julian Casablancas (brainyquote.com/)

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Majid Ahmed

Aug 30, 2015 10:40pm

Finance minister also failed to explained how merging stocks was going to benefit any foreign investor. As a matter of fact this effects the Karachi Stock Exchange the most as KSE still rallies even if LSE and ISE are dead on trading. I am going to pull out my money out and wait for few years. This is such a retarded decision.

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