The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) attracted a record 25,281 new investors in September 2026, taking the total number of investors to 656,218.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb shared the figures while speaking at a gong ceremony held at the PSX to mark the listing of Naya Nazimabad Apartments REIT.
He said the investor base has more than doubled from 321,144 in March 2024 to 656,218 in September 2026. Over the same period, the KSE-100 Index climbed from around 67,000 points to nearly 170,000 points.
Aurangzeb said 11 companies were listed on the stock exchange during fiscal year 2026, the highest number in more than 20 years. Another five initial public offerings (IPOs) had already been completed during the first quarter of FY2027.
He said Pakistan needs to use its capital markets to raise funding for businesses, infrastructure, housing, innovation and employment.
The finance minister also highlighted progress under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Programme. Around Rs60 billion has been financed so far, while banks have approved another financing pipeline of around Rs340 billion that is awaiting disbursement.
He said banks have taken the lead in housing finance and the private sector now needs to speed up development. REITs can help channel investment into the housing sector, he added.
Aurangzeb also pointed to increasing participation by local business groups in large investment opportunities. He cited the consortium involved in the PIA transaction, which he said represents nearly $1.2 billion in combined investment.
He said foreign investors are also showing interest in Pakistan, including Turkish companies in electricity distribution and US investors and companies in minerals, mining, agriculture, IT, oil and gas and refinery upgrades.
According to Aurangzeb, foreign investment takes time and depends on a supportive policy and business environment.
He said the economy has moved from contraction and stabilization toward growth, with growth currently around 3.7 percent and expected to reach about 4 percent this year.
Aurangzeb called for an end to Pakistan’s repeated boom and bust cycle, saying future growth should be supported by productivity, investment, exports and job creation rather than temporary liquidity and consumption.
He said reforms in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises, privatization and public finance are now moving from planning to implementation.
The number of tax filers has also increased to more than 5.7 million from around 3.9 million last year and roughly 1.8 million to 1.9 million in 2022. He attributed the increase to greater use of data, simpler processes and stronger enforcement.
On the Naya Nazimabad Apartments REIT, Aurangzeb said the offering received around eight times subscription during book building and 4.3 times subscription from the general public.
He said the government would continue efforts to deepen capital markets and improve investor confidence, with the broader aim of moving the economy from stability toward investment, growth and job creation.
