PSX and LADIESFUND plan Pakistan's first gender‑focused ETF and Green Gender Bond
The Pakistan Stock Exchange and LADIESFUND Investments announced a joint effort to launch a gender‑focused exchange‑traded fund and a Green Gender Bond, aiming to boost women’s participation and attract Shariah‑compliant sustainable capital.
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Desk Analysis
How This Affects the Exchange
Sector Effect
Positive · Buy bias
Gender‑focused ETF and Green Gender Bond can draw new capital into listed firms with strong DEI practices, creating a Buy bias for the broader market.
Sectors & Direction
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Desk call: Buy bias · Positively affected
- EconomyPositively affected
- MarketsPositively affected
Companies Mentioned
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Mentions in This Briefing
Sectors: Economy, Markets — Positive · Buy bias. Gender‑focused ETF and Green Gender Bond can draw new capital into listed firms with strong DEI practices, creating a Buy bias for the broader market.
Full Story
Open on Business Recorder## PSX and LADIESFUND unveil gender‑focused investment products
The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) together with LADIESFUND Investments – the women‑focused arm of 786 Investments Ltd. – disclosed plans to create Pakistan’s first gender‑focused exchange‑traded fund (ETF) and a Green Gender Bond. The announcement was made during the "She Invests: LADIESFUND Smart Woman Money Masterclass" held at the Dr Shamshad Akhtar Auditorium, PSX, Karachi, attended by over 140 women investors.
## Objectives of the proposed ETF
The ETF is designed to give investors exposure to listed companies that demonstrate a genuine commitment to women, gender inclusion and broader diversity, equity and inclusion (DEI) practices. By filtering for firms with strong DEI policies, the fund seeks to channel capital toward companies that support women’s economic empowerment while remaining Shariah‑compliant.
## Green Gender Bond concept
In parallel, the Green Gender Bond will link sustainable, climate‑focused financing with measurable benefits for women. The bond aims to merge green finance principles with gender equality goals, offering an investment vehicle that aligns with both environmental and social objectives under Shariah guidelines.
## Supporting initiatives
The event also marked the launch of LADIESFUND Investments, structured around three stages of women’s financial growth, and the inauguration of "She Invests," a PSX‑run financial‑literacy series for women. PSX Managing Director and CEO Farrukh H. Sabzwari emphasized the exchange’s commitment to increasing female participation, noting that women constitute nearly half of Pakistan’s population but remain under‑represented in capital markets.
## Industry commentary
Tara Uzra Dawood, CEO of 786 Investments Ltd. and LADIESFUND, highlighted the shift from financial dependence to ownership that the initiative seeks to foster. Former UBL Bank President Sima Kamil addressed the audience on wealth‑building strategies throughout a woman's career, reinforcing the educational thrust of the programme.
## Potential market impact
If launched, the gender‑focused ETF could attract new inflows from both domestic and overseas investors seeking Shariah‑compliant, socially responsible exposure, potentially lifting demand for listed equities that meet DEI criteria. The Green Gender Bond may open a new niche for sustainable financing, encouraging issuers to adopt greener practices while supporting women‑focused projects.