PSX and LADIESFUND Join Forces to Help Women Build Wealth

Karachi, September 2026: 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 corporations and diverse professional backgrounds attended the She Invests: LADIESFUND Smart Woman Money Masterclass in Karachi.

The event was held at the Dr. Shamshad Akhtar Auditorium at the Pakistan Stock Exchange. It focused on earning, saving, investing and building long-term wealth.

She Invests Series Launched

The programme also marked the launch of LADIESFUND Investments, the women-focused investment initiative of 786 Investments Ltd.

The initiative operates under the theme “Where Women Build Wealth.” It is designed around three stages of women’s financial growth.

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Meanwhile, PSX launched its She Invests financial literacy training series for women. Participants were also given a QR code to take their first step towards investing.

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

He said PSX wants to make investing more accessible and easier to understand. He added that the initiative would help women move from saving money to investing and building lasting wealth.

Sabzwari also said the sessions would be taken to women’s chambers of commerce, academic institutions and women-led organisations across Pakistan.

Women Encouraged to Take Financial Control

Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of 786 Investments Ltd. and LADIESFUND Investments, said women have traditionally been taught to earn, save and spend money.

However, she said greater attention was needed on owning, investing and growing wealth.

Dawood said LADIESFUND Investments aims to help women move from financial dependence towards financial ownership.

She added that women could begin investing with a small amount or manage larger portfolios. The key, she said, is to invest in themselves and make their money work for them.

Sima Kamil Highlights Early Wealth Building

A key feature of the programme 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 begin building wealth early.

She said wealth is built throughout a career rather than at the end of it. She also welcomed the focus on women’s financial inclusion through dedicated investment and mutual fund initiatives.

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Hena Sadiq, Partner at Yousuf Adil, highlighted the regulatory and oversight mechanisms within Pakistan’s investment ecosystem.

She said women can gain greater confidence by understanding the layers of accountability surrounding mutual funds and investment products.

These include regulatory oversight, independent audits, Shariah supervision and ratings, among other safeguards.

Sharmeen Ahmed of Topline Securities also encouraged women to enter the capital market.

She said opening a trading account can be a practical first step. Women, she added, do not need to be financial experts to become investors.

Moneeza Butt, Partner at KPMG, also urged women to participate in capital markets. She highlighted both direct brokerage investment and mutual funds as potential avenues.

Breaking Barriers Around Women’s Wealth

The masterclass addressed several barriers that can prevent women from taking control of their financial futures.

These included dependence on family members for financial security and delays in financial planning.

Participants also discussed the perception that investing is complicated. Another key issue was uncertainty about choosing a professional to manage investments.

The interactive sessions covered topics ranging from family expectations to the difference between money and wealth.

Moreover, speakers explained how women can begin investing without becoming financial experts themselves.

Participants were introduced to investment concepts, capital markets, money-market instruments and Shariah-compliant investment opportunities.

Proposed ETF and Green Gender Bond

The event also highlighted two initiatives being developed by LADIESFUND Investments and PSX.

One is the proposed LADIESFUND Exchange Traded Fund (ETF). If launched as envisioned, it would be Pakistan’s first gender-focused ETF.

The proposed ETF aims to provide exposure to listed companies while considering their commitment to women, gender inclusion, diversity, equity and inclusion.

The second initiative is the proposed LADIESFUND Green Gender Bond.

It aims to connect sustainable and climate-focused investment with measurable opportunities for women. The concept brings together green finance, gender equality and Shariah-compliant investment principles.

Together, the initiatives reflect a broader goal of making women’s participation in Pakistan’s capital markets part of everyday financial life.

Leading Professionals Attend Event

The event was attended by professionals including 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 and Standard Chartered Bank also attended.

Other organisations represented included IFC, ABL, K-Electric, HOM, PwC, KPMG, Yousuf Adil, UNDP, BRR, DFTL, Samba Bank, Philip Morris, Euronet and BankIslami.

The collaboration between PSX, 786 Investments Ltd. and LADIESFUND reflects a shared commitment to improving women’s financial literacy.

It also seeks to encourage greater participation by women in Pakistan’s formal investment ecosystem, helping them move from earning and saving towards owning, investing and building 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. It offers Shariah-compliant mutual fund and investment advisory services for Pakistani women at different stages of their financial growth.

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