Rs20b raised via 10 IPOs in H1 2026

According to The Express Tribune, Commissioner Muzaffar Ahmed Mirza said on Tuesday that the SECP has cleared 10 IPOs in the first half of 2026. Those offerings together raised more than Rs20 billion, he told a guest lecture audience in Islamabad.

Mirza argued that Pakistan's population of 255 million, with a large youth segment, holds substantial business, consumer and investment potential, yet participation in the stock market is extremely low for that size. The regulator wants to lift the investor base to 2.5 million, and online account opening along with mobile-based investing is being simplified for young and first-time investors.

Three issuers also gave their views on what listing means for them. Service Long March Tyres chief executive Umar Saeed said IPO money will cover 24.6% of the funding for its Rs22.56 billion passenger car radial tyre plan, with 66% directed to machinery and 34% to buildings. Sitara Petroleum Service's chief executive, Zaheer Baig, said a listing brings growth capital, stronger valuation, greater credibility and access to institutional investors, while Select Technologies raised Rs3.02 billion to add capacity for smartphones, air-conditioners and smart televisions.