The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has informed Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb that individual investors can now directly participate and invest in Government Debt Securities (GDS) including Sukkuk.
Sources informed that the details of the GDS were shared by the SECP officials with the finance minister during his visit to the SECP Headquarters.
Government Debt Securities means a debt security such as Treasury Bill (T-Bill), Pakistan Investment Bond (PIB), Government of Pakistan (GoP) Ijarah Sukuk and any other debt instrument issued by the federal government, the provisional government, the local government/authority, and any other statutory body.
While acknowledging the contribution of SECP in launch of Government Debt Securities (GDS), he highlighted the need to create liquidity in the secondary market.
The government has already allowed money market schemes to invest in government debt securities, traded through the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), to ensure maximum participation of mutual funds in Sukuks/government securities, SECP informed the minister.
SECP Chairman briefed the minister on efforts towards ease of doing business in Pakistan and reaping the benefits of advancement in technology through regulatory reforms, digitalization of services and access to finance. He was also briefed on areas related to market development and innovation such as regulatory sandbox and efforts to promote startups.
The minister expressed keen interest in SECPs initiatives towards sustainability reporting and investor education & protection and expressed satisfaction on SECP initiative to launch the ESG Sustain Portal.
He appreciated the steps being taken by SECP to provide one window solution to companies and digital filing of documents and other initiatives aimed at facilitating investors such as Central Gateway Portal and Emlaak Financials.
The minister emphasized the need for creating awareness regarding positive initiatives taken by SECP to provide maximum benefit to stakeholders. He also advised SECP to maintain close liaison with the government for effective introduction of pension reforms and to work with other regulatory bodies to provide seamless and efficient services in the financial sector. He assured SECP of the Government’s support on the legislative reforms.