Manzar Naqvi
KARACHI: The International Capital Market Conference (ICMC) & Expo 2025 concluded in Karachi on Wednesday, marking one of Pakistan’s most significant financial sector events in recent years – with a strong spotlight on the leadership, vision, and personal engagement of SECP Chairman Akif Saeed.
Organised by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in association with PSX, CDC, NCCPL and PMEX, the two-day conference brought together market regulators, policymakers, CEOs, scholars, and experts from Azerbaijan, Bangladesh, China, Iran, Hong Kong, Maldives, Sri Lanka, the United States, and across Pakistan.
Chairman SECP Akif Saeed’s dedicated presence in Karachi throughout the two days drew wide acknowledgment from international delegates and domestic market leaders, who noted that his personal involvement demonstrated Pakistan’s renewed commitment to capital market development and regulatory modernization.
Saeed, who travelled from SECP headquarters in Islamabad to Karachi for the entire duration of the conference, met foreign delegates, chaired key discussions, and oversaw the programme’s execution – a gesture described by participants as a “powerful signal of Pakistan’s seriousness in deepening market reforms.”
The conference, themed around regional cooperation, capital market digitization, Islamic finance, fintech evolution, investor protection,and future market structure, featured sessions led by renowned personalities and experts. A symbolic Gong Ceremony at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) highlighted the significance of strengthening Pakistan’s market institutions.
International speakers praised Pakistan’s efforts to expand Islamic finance, upgrade market infrastructure, enhance transparency, and foster regional capital market linkages. Delegates from Iran, China, and Central Asian countries stressed the importance of harmonized regulations, cross-border investment, and shared market standards.
The event also showcased Pakistan’s growing Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs), pension reforms, and SECP’s initiatives to digitalize investor onboarding and strengthen enforcement mechanisms.
Foreign delegates commended SECP – particularly Chairman Akif Saeed – for “creating a platform that matches global standards” and for aligning Pakistan’s regulatory direction with emerging capital market trends worldwide.
As the conference concluded, stakeholders emphasized that Pakistan must maintain this momentum through continued reform, regulatory stability, and deeper collaboration with regional markets.
The ICMC 2025 has positioned Pakistan as a credible, forward-looking participant in the global financial landscape – with Chairman Akif Saeed’s leadership emerging as a driving force behind this renewed vision.
