ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):The Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu Wednesday said that the effective use of financial technology will make capital market investing simpler, safer, and more accessible for all Pakistanis, enabling ordinary citizens to participate in the country's economic growth and wealth creation. He said that digital technology can bring stock market and investment services directly to investors' mobile phones, particularly those …
Dr. Sidhu to use Fintech to bring capital market investing within reach of every Pakistani
ISLAMABAD, Jun 17 (APP):The Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu Wednesday said that the effective use of financial technology will make capital market investing simpler, safer, and more accessible for all Pakistanis, enabling ordinary citizens to participate in the country’s economic growth and wealth creation.
He said that digital technology can bring stock market and investment services directly to investors’ mobile phones, particularly those of young Pakistanis.
This will not only simplify the investment process but also strengthen investor protection and enhance public confidence in Pakistan’s capital markets.
This is in line with SECP’s target of increasing the investor base to 2.5 million, he expressed these views while chairing a meeting of the Board of Directors and senior management of the Central Depository Company of Pakistan Limited (CDCPL) during his visit to Karachi.
The meeting reviewed CDCPL’s operational performance, technological infrastructure, cybersecurity framework, digital transformation initiatives, and strategic plans aimed at further strengthening Pakistan’s capital market ecosystem.
CDCPL management briefed the Chairman on the company’s role as the country’s central depository and a key pillar of capital market infrastructure. The Board highlighted CDC’s robust IT architecture, multiple data centers, strong cybersecurity controls, and round-the-clock business continuity arrangements that have enabled uninterrupted services for nearly three decades.
The Board also briefed the Chairman on the upcoming Asaan Connect App, a flagship digital initiative being developed under SECP’s guidance. Scheduled for launch in July 2026, the platform aims to simplify investor onboarding, enhance financial inclusion, and attract a new generation of investors through a convenient and user-friendly digital experience.
The meeting further discussed CDCPL’s strategic restructuring plans, including the separation of core depository functions from non-core businesses such as trustee services. The initiative is intended to strengthen governance arrangements and facilitate the potential future listing of non-core operations on the Pakistan Stock Exchange while preserving the systemic importance of core depository functions.
Dr. Sidhu appreciated CDCPL’s contribution to Pakistan’s capital market infrastructure and commended its technological capabilities, governance standards, and close collaboration with SECP. He assured SECP’s full support for technological innovation, digital transformation, and initiatives aimed at making investing easier, safer, and more accessible for all Pakistanis.
Mr. Badiuddin Akber, CEO of CDC, briefed the visiting team on recent technology-driven initiatives designed to improve market accessibility, strengthen investor protection, and simplify investment processes.
He reaffirmed CDC’s commitment to working closely with SECP to support the development and modernization of Pakistan’s capital markets.
