In a landmark initiative aimed at transforming Pakistan’s corporate sector through sustainable practices, the International Finance Corporation (IFC), in partnership with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), has officially launched the ESG Pakistan Project. This three-year program seeks to embed Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards into corporate governance frameworks, aligning the country’s capital markets with global sustainability norms.
The launch of the ESG Pakistan Project was marked by a high-profile awareness workshop in Islamabad, attended by prominent representatives from capital market institutions, listed companies, and professional associations. The initiative is designed to accelerate ESG adoption across Pakistan’s corporate landscape, building investor confidence and fostering long-term sustainable growth.
In his keynote address, SECP Chairperson Akif Saeed stressed the growing importance of ESG for capital markets and its critical role in Pakistan’s economic and environmental future. “The global shift towards sustainable finance is irreversible. For a climate-vulnerable country like Pakistan, this transition is not only timely but essential,” he said. He further highlighted SECP’s prior achievements, including the ESG Regulatory Roadmap, ESG Disclosure Guidelines, and the development of the ESG Sustain Portal, which now serve as key pillars of the country’s ESG infrastructure.
The ESG Pakistan Project builds on these efforts by enhancing awareness, increasing institutional capacity, and providing tools and frameworks for improved sustainability reporting. According to Zeeshan Sheikh, IFC’s Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, the initiative will help businesses improve their reputations, increase operational efficiency, attract responsible investment, and ensure sustainable expansion. “This project, including today’s workshop, aims to accelerate the adoption of international sustainability standards in Pakistan by fostering awareness, building capacity, and supporting the implementation of related regulatory frameworks by drawing on IFC’s global expertise,” he said.
Under the initiative, IFC will support SECP in conducting industry-specific training sessions, developing ESG guidance materials, and conducting assessments of ESG performance among listed companies using the ESG Sustain Portal. This will provide valuable data-driven insights for market participants and regulators while promoting transparency and investor engagement.
The ESG Pakistan Project is being implemented in partnership with the Facility for Investment Climate Advisory Services (FIAS), a World Bank Group platform that supports reforms to create open and competitive markets. Funding support also comes from the CIFPAK facility, a climate-related blended finance initiative managed by IFC in collaboration with the UK’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (FCDO).
SECP and IFC’s collaborative approach reflects a shared vision to create a more responsible, resilient, and inclusive financial ecosystem in Pakistan. The ESG Pakistan Project is expected to serve as a cornerstone of Pakistan’s sustainable finance journey, helping the country integrate global best practices into local market operations and meet its long-term environmental and economic goals. Through this program, Pakistan is set to move from ESG awareness to actionable impact—strengthening both corporate accountability and national resilience.
