Qudsia Bano

The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) has once again emerged as a pivotal player in the global financial arena as it marked the World Investor Week (WIW) 2023 with a prestigious gong ceremony held at its Trading Hall. This annual event, spearheaded by the World Federation of Exchanges (WFE), of which PSX is an affiliate exchange, took place from October 2 to 8, and this year, PSX had the privilege of hosting the WIW for the third consecutive time. The gong ceremony witnessed the presence of distinguished representatives from the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), leading academic institutions, professional bodies, and securities brokers, among other esteemed guests. The primary objective of this week-long celebration was to underscore the importance of financial literacy and raise awareness about investor education and protection, with a focus on encouraging financial inclusion and providing learning opportunities for investors. The ceremonial gong was struck by the chief guests, Abdul Rehman Warraich, Commissioner of the Securities Market Division, Supervision Division at SECP, and Shoaib Javed Hussain, CEO of the State Life Insurance Corporation of Pakistan (SLIC).

They were joined by PSX Board members and the Managing Director & CEO of PSX, Farrukh H Khan, who collectively inaugurated the WIW 2023, officially opening the trading day. Farrukh Khan expressed his appreciation for the collective efforts of all stakeholders involved in promoting financial literacy and investor awareness. He said, "PSX welcomes all in marking the WIW. It is a matter of great satisfaction that all the self-regulatory organisations (SROs) and stakeholders have also come forward to participate and play their role in WIW 2023. I want to thank the SECP for their leadership, enabling us all to augment our efforts to promote financial literacy and investor awareness." Khan further emphasised the PSX's commitment to disseminating financial education through various channels, including in-person sessions, webinars, courses, workshops and digital platforms such as the investor education portal and virtual trading web-based application. He also highlighted the impressive 20-year return of KSE-100, which averages well above 15% per annum in dollar terms, underlining the importance of educating the youth on stock market investments.

On the occasion, Zahid Latif Khan, Vice-Chairman of Pakistan Stock Brokers Association (PSBA), stated, "PSX's commitment to promoting financial literacy and investor education is commendable. In today's rapidly changing financial landscape, informed investors are the backbone of a resilient economy. This initiative not only benefits individual investors but also contributes to the overall economic growth of Pakistan. It's heartening to see the collaboration between regulatory bodies, institutions, and market participants towards a common goal of empowering investors with knowledge and confidence." Muhammad Umer, former adviser at PSX, shared his thoughts on PSX's role in WIW 2023: "In a world where financial markets play a critical role in economic development, initiatives like WIW are pivotal. PSX's dedication to financial literacy and investor education sets a significant precedent. The impact of informed investors goes beyond personal portfolios; it strengthens the entire financial ecosystem. By nurturing a culture of learning and responsible investing, PSX is not only empowering individuals but also contributing to the stability and resilience of Pakistan's financial markets."

Credit: INP-WealthPk