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The number of investors in the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) rose by a record 25,281 in September, taking the total investor base to 656,218, according to Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb.<\/strong><\/p>\n The finance minister announced the figures during a gong ceremony at the PSX in Karachi to mark the listing of Naya Nazimabad Apartments REIT.<\/p>\n He said the number of investors had more than doubled from 321,144 in March 2024 to 656,218 in September 2026.<\/p>\n The finance minister also said 11 companies had entered the stock market during the 2026 financial year, the highest number in more than two decades.<\/p>\n A further five initial public offerings (IPOs) were completed during the first quarter of the 2027 financial year.<\/p>\n Aurangzeb said the government wants to make greater use of capital markets to finance businesses, infrastructure, housing and innovation, while supporting job creation.<\/p>\n He also highlighted the growing role of REITs in mobilizing investment for the housing sector.<\/p>\n According to Aurangzeb, around Rs. 60 billion has been financed under the Prime Minister\u2019s Apna Ghar Program, while banks have approved another financing pipeline of around Rs. 340 billion awaiting disbursement.<\/p>\n He also said foreign investor interest was growing in sectors including minerals and mining, agriculture, IT, oil and gas, and refinery upgrades.<\/p>\n The government is seeking to shift economic relations toward greater trade and investment while advancing reforms in taxation, energy, state-owned enterprises and public finance.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n