Building modern financial infrastructure for gold

The Express Tribune published an opinion piece on 8 November proposing digital accounts that let Pakistanis build gold holdings through small, affordable purchases. It cites Competition Commission of Pakistan estimates of annual demand at 60 to 90 tonnes, with over 90% of trading taking place beyond formal channels.

The proposed accounts would represent fractional ownership of physical gold held by an independent custodian, with customers able to add funds over time, sell some or all of their balance, or request physical delivery. The writer says these services depend on verifiable reserves, clear charges and sale prices, protected ownership, and reliable settlement, and suggests testing them in a limited pilot before wider rollout.