KARACHI: Chairperson of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said developing a new generation of skilled financial professionals, informed investors, and financially aware citizens is critical to strengthening Pakistan’s financial sector, deepening capital markets, expanding investor participation, and driving sustainable economic growth.
He was chairing a meeting to review the performance and future direction of the Institute of Financial Markets of Pakistan (IFMP). The meeting discussed a reform agenda aimed at transforming IFMP into a modern, industry-driven institution focused on talent development, investor education, and financial literacy.
The meeting was attended by SECP Commissioner (Securities Market Division) Muhammad Ali Farid Khwaja; Executive Director/Special Adviser Imran Inayat Butt; CEO IFMP Dr Mubashir Sadiq; and senior officials. Chairperson of the State Life Insurance Corporation (SLIC) Shoaib Javed Hussain also participated in the discussions as a special invitee.
Dr Sidhu said the time had come to reposition IFMP to meet the evolving needs of the financial sector. He said the commission envisages the IFMP as a leading national institution for industry-driven and market-focused talent development, moving beyond standalone training programmes towards a comprehensive ecosystem serving investors, financial professionals, market intermediaries and students.
Dr Mubashir Sadiq briefed the meeting on the IFMP’s operations, financial sustainability model, training programmes, certifications, and overall performance. He highlighted that the IFMP is a self-sustaining institution funded primarily through professional certification and training courses, and shared proposals to further strengthen its academic and professional standing.
During the discussion, Shoaib Javed Hussain proposed a strategic partnership between SLIC and IFMP to train insurance professionals and field agents, highlighting the need for structured capacity-building across Pakistan’s insurance sector.
To implement the reform agenda, Dr Sidhu directed SECP and IFMP teams to work closely together and prepare a detailed roadmap with clear timelines, priorities and measurable outcomes for consideration by the commission.
