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KARACHI, July 6 ,2026:
The platform enables users to open Investor Portfolio of Securities (IPS) accounts online, participate in primary auctions and trade government securities in the secondary market without visiting financial institutions.
The launch ceremony was attended by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Governor Jameel Ahmad, senior SBP officials, bank CEOs, representatives of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), non-bank financial institutions (NBFIs) and corporate executives.
Speaking at the event, Aurangzeb described InvestPak as another major step in Pakistan’s digital transformation following the successful launch of the Raast payment system.
He said technology makes investing faster, cheaper and more accessible while broadening participation. He welcomed the decision to allow investments starting from Rs5,000, making government securities available to both retail and corporate investors.
The finance minister noted that investor participation in the PSX has grown significantly over the past 12 to 18 months, especially among young people. He said InvestPak will further encourage youth to invest in government securities through a fully digital platform.
He also stressed the need to diversify government borrowing by reducing dependence on commercial banks and increasing participation from non-bank financial institutions.
Aurangzeb said the share of NBFIs in government securities has increased to 22 percent, up from single digits, but there is still considerable room for growth. Greater diversification, he added, will allow banks to expand lending to the private sector.
SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said expanding inclusive, sustainable and digitally accessible financial services remains a key objective under Vision 2028.
He said a strong government securities market supports economic growth by mobilizing domestic savings, financing development, improving monetary policy transmission and strengthening financial stability.
Ahmad said SBP has implemented a series of reforms over the years to build a deeper, more transparent and efficient government securities market. Pakistan now has a liquid market with a yield curve extending up to 15 years.
He added that average daily secondary market trading reached nearly Rs991 billion in May 2026, while non-bank holdings of marketable government securities rose from Rs327 billion in 2009 to more than Rs10 trillion.
However, banks still hold 78 percent of marketable government securities, highlighting significant potential to attract more households, businesses and institutional investors.
The governor said SBP developed InvestPak under the World Bank-funded Financial Inclusion and Infrastructure Project to simplify account opening and investment through a single digital platform.
He also announced a nationwide awareness campaign across print, digital and FM radio to promote InvestPak. In addition, he urged banks, primary dealers and microfinance banks to encourage both retail and corporate customers to use the platform.
Ahmad said wider participation in formal financial markets will help channel domestic savings into productive investment and support Pakistan’s long-term economic growth.
