IFMP board approves relocation of head office to Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Board of Directors of the Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP) has approved the relocation of its head office to Islamabad, while retaining a regional office in Karachi, as part of a restructuring plan aimed at expanding its role in financial market education, professional training and capacity building.

The Board unanimously elected Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), as Chairperson of the IFMP Board, while Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja, Commissioner, Securities Market Division (SMD), SECP, joined the Board as SECP’s nominee member.

The meeting was attended by Dr. Mubbashar Sadiq, Chief Executive Officer (CEO), IFMP; Jawad Hashmi, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX); Shariq Jaffrani, Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Central Depository Company (CDC); Dr. Ahmed Junaid, Dean, Karachi School of Business and Leadership (KSBL); Shahrukh Usmani, Company Secretary, IFMP; and Ahmad Javed, Manager Finance, IFMP.

Addressing the meeting, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said that with 64–67 percent of Pakistan’s population under 30, the country has immense potential to expand financial inclusion, retail investment, entrepreneurship, and employment. He said SECP has set a target of increasing Pakistan’s capital market investor base from around 500,000 to 2.5 million, emphasizing that financial literacy and skills development will be fundamental to achieving this objective.

He said IFMP will lead a nationwide financial literacy initiative by taking financial education to schools, universities, and professional communities across Pakistan.

The Institute will equip youth and professionals with the knowledge and skills needed to participate in the formal financial sector, strengthen investor confidence, and impart professional courses to develop qualified human capital for the capital market and insurance industries.

Commissioner SECP Muhammad Ali Farid Khawaja said the Pakistan Stock Exchange must expand its reach across Pakistan, noting that a growing number of new investors are emerging from Punjab and other regions of the country.

He said IFMP will significantly expand its mandate by introducing free online financial literacy courses, continuous professional development programmes, certification courses for capital market and insurance intermediaries, and specialized industry training to build a skilled financial services workforce.

The Board also placed on record its appreciation for the valuable contributions of outgoing SECP nominee directors Osman Syed and Dr. Yasir Mahmood, and acknowledged the dedicated leadership of Shoaib Javed Hussain during his tenure as Chairperson of the IFMP Board.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026