Islamabad, April 30, 2025 — In a landmark effort to strengthen Pakistan’s sustainable finance landscape, InfraZamin Pakistan, in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the British High Commission Islamabad, and the Private Infrastructure Development Group (PIDG), hosted a high-level seminar titled “Green Financing via Debt Capital Markets.” The event underscored the critical role of credit enhancement and financial innovation in enabling climate-aligned infrastructure and sustainable economic growth.
Bringing together regulators, financial leaders, and development finance experts, the seminar provided a platform for key stakeholders to explore how domestic capital markets can be mobilized for green and resilient investments. Featured speakers included Akif Saeed, Chairman SECP; Jo Moir, Development Director at the British High Commission; Maheen Rahman, CEO of InfraZamin Pakistan; Boo Hock Khoo, Chairman of InfraZamin’s Board; Philip Skinner, Origination Lead of Nature at PIDG; and Waqas ul Hasan, CEO of Karandaaz Pakistan.
One of the event’s focal points was the fireside chat between Boo Hock Khoo and Maheen Rahman, titled “How Rupee Bonds Can Power Pakistan’s Recovery.” The discussion highlighted the strategic importance of expanding the domestic bond market, reducing overreliance on foreign debt, and promoting local currency financing to boost economic resilience.
A major panel discussion titled “Creating a Green Financing Ecosystem: Integrating Credit Enhancements and Financial Instruments” brought together influential voices from across the finance sector. Participants included Claudine Lim of InfraZamin, Khalida Habib of SECP, Rizwan Ahmed from Saudi Pak Industrial and Agricultural Investment Company, and Imtiaz Gadar, CEO of Al Meezan Investment Management Ltd. The panel emphasized the integration of credit guarantees into sustainable financial products to enable scalable investments in green infrastructure.
In his keynote address, Akif Saeed reaffirmed SECP’s dedication to building an efficient, transparent capital market. He highlighted ongoing efforts to streamline bond issuance processes, lower transaction costs, and promote the adoption of enhanced disclosure standards. Saeed also stressed the importance of credit enhancements and blended finance in attracting private investment.
Jo Moir echoed these sentiments, emphasizing Pakistan’s opportunity to leverage global green finance trends and secure technical and financial partnerships to drive climate resilience. She affirmed the UK’s commitment to supporting Pakistan’s sustainable development goals.
Boo Hock Khoo, drawing on his international experience, commended the SECP’s proactive regulatory role and InfraZamin’s impactful work in deploying credit guarantees to foster investor confidence. He called the development of green financing in domestic markets a powerful step forward for Pakistan.
Highlighting InfraZamin’s impact, CEO Maheen Rahman shared details of South Asia’s first gender-focused infrastructure initiative, which has empowered over 30,000 women. She also discussed the PKR 2 billion Agri-Infrastructure Sukuk, developed with Unity Foods, to modernize agricultural facilities and promote renewable energy adoption.
Waqas ul Hasan of Karandaaz Pakistan underscored the urgency of mainstreaming green finance, calling it a national imperative. “Green finance is no longer optional—it is essential for sustainable economic progress,” he said. Karandaaz, he noted, is actively working with partners to scale financial innovation and drive private sector participation in climate-resilient infrastructure.
Farrukh Subzwari, CEO of the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), emphasized the critical role of ESG principles in modern finance. He pointed to a 5 percent global rise in sustainability-labeled bond issuance, reaching $1.1 trillion in 2023–2024, as proof of growing investor appetite for transparent, sustainable investment vehicles. PSX, he added, is committed to supporting Pakistan’s transition toward inclusive and resilient infrastructure through green finance.
Wrapping up the event, Philip Skinner of PIDG shared successful global case studies, including East Africa’s pioneering green bond for student housing. He stressed that certifying financial instruments as green not only helps quantify climate risk but also boosts investor confidence—key to attracting foreign capital to Pakistan’s green finance market.
The seminar concluded with a strong consensus on the need for greater collaboration between regulators, development partners, and the private sector. Stakeholders agreed that innovative instruments, robust credit enhancement frameworks, and a conducive policy environment are essential to unlocking long-term capital and accelerating Pakistan’s transition to a greener future.