The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a dedicated Shariah-compliant brokerage segment to facilitate investors seeking to invest in Islamic securities through the stock market.
Under the new arrangement, Islamic brokerage windows are now operational at 33 brokerage houses, providing investors with a dedicated channel to invest in Shariah-compliant shares, Sukuk and Islamic exchange-traded funds (ETFs).
The SECP said investors using these Islamic brokerage windows will only be able to invest in securities that meet established Shariah-compliance requirements.
The regulator further stated that funds held through Islamic brokerage windows will be managed through Islamic banking arrangements. Islamic brokers will also be prohibited from providing interest-based financing and other non-Shariah-compliant leveraged financing facilities.
According to the SECP, 308 out of 535 securities listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) are currently classified as Shariah-compliant. These securities represent approximately 65% of the stock exchange’s total market capitalization.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the expansion of Shariah-compliant brokerage services represents an important step toward promoting a Riba-free economy and providing investors with transparent and reliable Islamic investment opportunities.
The regulator said the increased availability of Shariah-compliant investment products could also encourage more investors to participate in Pakistan’s capital markets and broaden the country’s investor base.
