PSX and LADIESFUND Join Forces to Empower Women to Build Wealth

Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), 786 Investments Ltd. and LADIESFUND have joined forces to promote women’s financial literacy and investment in Pakistan.

More than 140 women from leading Pakistani corporations and diverse professional backgrounds attended the She Invests: LADIESFUND Smart Woman Money Masterclass in Karachi. The event took place at the Dr. Shamshad Akhtar Auditorium at Pakistan Stock Exchange.

The programme focused on earning, saving, investing and building long-term wealth. It also marked the launch of LADIESFUND Investments, a women-focused investment initiative of 786 Investments Ltd.

At the same time, PSX launched its She Invests financial literacy training series for women. Participants also received a QR code that allowed them to take their first step towards investing.

PSX Seeks Greater Female Participation

Farrukh H. Sabzwari, Managing Director and CEO of Pakistan Stock Exchange, said women remain underrepresented among investors despite making up nearly half of Pakistan’s population.

He said the new She Invests series aims to make investing more accessible and easier to understand. Moreover, PSX plans to take the programme to women’s chambers of commerce, academic institutions and women-led organisations across Pakistan.

Sabzwari also thanked LADIESFUND and 786 Investments Ltd. for partnering on the initiative.

Meanwhile, Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of 786 Investments Ltd. and LADIESFUND Investments, said women need to move beyond simply earning and saving money.

She said LADIESFUND Investments aims to support women in moving from financial dependence towards financial ownership. According to Dawood, women can begin their investment journey with modest amounts while developing their financial knowledge.

Masterclass Highlights Wealth Building

The programme encouraged participants to rethink traditional attitudes towards women and money. Instead of focusing only on income and bank savings, the sessions explored how money can be invested and grown.

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Participants learned about capital markets, investment options and money-market instruments. They also received information about Shariah-compliant investment opportunities.

A key highlight was a fireside conversation with Sima Kamil, former President of UBL Bank. The session focused on “How to Build Wealth During the Career Trajectory.”

Drawing on her experience in banking and finance, Kamil encouraged women to start building wealth early.

She said wealth creation should continue throughout a person’s career rather than being left until retirement or the later stages of working life.

Experts Explain Investment Options

Hena Sadiq, Partner at Yousuf Adil, highlighted the importance of governance and oversight when choosing investment products.

She explained that mutual funds operate within multiple layers of accountability. These include Shariah oversight, audits, regulatory supervision and ratings.

Sadiq said such safeguards can give women greater confidence when taking their first investment steps.

The programme also featured Sharmeen Ahmed of Topline Securities. She encouraged women to enter the capital markets by opening trading accounts.

Ahmed said becoming an investor does not require advanced financial expertise. Instead, she stressed the importance of starting, learning and remaining invested.

Moneeza Butt, Partner at KPMG, also encouraged women to consider capital-market investments. She highlighted both direct brokerage investment and mutual funds such as LADIESFUND Investments.

Event Addresses Barriers Facing Women

Another major focus was the financial barriers that can prevent women from taking control of their futures.

The discussion addressed assumptions that financial security will always come from a father, husband or other family member. It also explored delayed financial planning and concerns about the complexity of investing.

Furthermore, speakers discussed how women can identify trustworthy professionals to manage their investments.

The interactive sessions covered a wide range of issues. These included family expectations, financial planning, the difference between money and wealth, and ways to begin investing without becoming a financial expert.

As a result, the programme sought to make investment terminology and concepts easier for first-time and aspiring women investors.

PSX and LADIESFUND Explore New Products

The event also highlighted two initiatives under development between LADIESFUND Investments and PSX.

One is the proposed LADIESFUND Exchange Traded Fund (ETF), envisioned by the organisers as Pakistan’s first gender-focused ETF. The proposed product would seek exposure to listed companies while considering their commitment to women, gender inclusion and diversity, equity and inclusion.

The second initiative is the proposed LADIESFUND Green Gender Bond. The concept aims to connect sustainable and climate-focused investment with measurable opportunities for women.

It would bring together green finance, gender equality and Shariah-compliant investment principles.

Both initiatives reflect a broader goal of increasing women’s participation in Pakistan’s capital markets.

Women From Leading Organisations Attend

The event attracted women from a wide range of professional backgrounds and organisations.

Among those attending were Maliha Khan, Farkhanda Bawany, Imaan Hunaid Lakhani, Noor Soomro, Talat Hashi, Zehra Bandukda, Aaliya Dossa, Farida Azzad, Saira Saigal, Mona Faisal and Ambreen Ali.

Representatives from GSK, L’Oréal, Bank Albaraka, Bank Alfalah, Lucky Core, Dolmen Group, PRL, NRL, PSO, OGDCL, Standard Chartered Bank, IFC, ABL, K-Electric, HOM, PwC, KPMG, Yousuf Adil, UNDP, BRR, DFTL, Samba Bank, Philip Morris, Euronet and BankIslami also attended.

The collaboration reflects a shared commitment to increasing women’s financial literacy and participation in Pakistan’s formal investment ecosystem.

Ultimately, the organisers aim to help more women move from earning and saving money towards owning, investing and building long-term wealth.

About LADIESFUND

LADIESFUND is a platform focused on advancing women’s economic participation, professional development, entrepreneurship and financial empowerment in Pakistan and internationally.

About LADIESFUND Investments

LADIESFUND Investments is an investment plan of 786 Smart Fund and the women-focused investment initiative of 786 Investments Ltd.

The initiative offers Shariah-compliant mutual fund and investment advisory services designed to support Pakistani women at different stages of their financial growth.

786 Investments Ltd. operates under regulation by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The company also has a PACRA rating and operates within Pakistan’s formal investment ecosystem with independent trustees, Shariah advisory and audit functions.