ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) appointed Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, a former caretaker Finance Minister of Pakistan, as its first female chair on Wednesday.
A development economist and former central bank governor — also the first woman to assume this position — Akhtar previously served at the Asian Development Bank, was a senior adviser to the then UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, and the World Bank’s vice president for the Middle East and North Africa.
In 2008, The Wall Street Journal named her one of the top ten women leaders in Asia.
She was appointed the PSX chairperson by the exchange’s newly elected board of directors.
“This is a momentous occasion for the women of Pakistan that for the first time in the history of the capital market of the country, a woman has been elected as the Board Chairperson,” the PSX said in a statement.
“Dr. Shamshad Akhtar needs no introduction as she is a veteran of the financial markets of Pakistan,” the PSX said. “She spearheaded the capital market development reforms during her tenure at the Asian Development Bank in 1990s and more recently worked with the industry on the Capital Market Roadmap in her capacity as the Caretaker Finance Minister.”
On her new role as the bourse’s chairperson, Akhtar said she looks forward to “further transform PSX as a premier institution so it can play a critical role in raising its market capitalization through deepening of debt and equity markets, broadening its investor and product base and service efficiently all its clients upholding high standards of governance.”
PSX chief executive Farrukh H. Khan welcomed Akhtar’s appointment: “We are particularly excited and proud to have someone of the caliber of Dr. Akhtar, to be the chairperson of PSX,” he said.
“Her understanding of capital markets and global experience will be invaluable in the development of capital markets and PSX. The fact that she is the first woman to chair PSX adds to our pride and excitement in welcoming her.”
Pakistan Stock Exchange appoints first woman chairperson
https://arab.news/ym7de
Pakistan Stock Exchange appoints first woman chairperson
- Dr. Shamshad Akhtar previously served as governor of Pakistan’s central bank and senior adviser to former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon
- In 2008, The Wall Street Journal named her one of the top ten women leaders in Asia
Pakistan lauds Qatar for Gaza peace efforts, facilitating talks with Afghanistan
- PM Shehbaz Sharif greets Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on Qatar’s National Day occasion
- Qatar hosted peace talks between Pakistan, Afghanistan after fierce border clashes in October
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif praised Qatar on Thursday for its role in bringing about a fragile ceasefire in Gaza and facilitating talks between neighbors Pakistan and Afghanistan, a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) said.
Qatar led negotiations between Hamas and Israel aimed at easing the Gaza conflict, working with nations like the US to reach a ceasefire and secure humanitarian pauses and prisoner exchanges. Doha also facilitated de-escalation talks between Pakistan and Afghanistan in October after the neighbors engaged in fierce border clashes. This elevated the Gulf nation to the status of a crisis mediator of the region on the international stage.
Sharif was speaking to Qatar’s Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani on the occasion of the Gulf country’s National Day. The Pakistani premier congratulated the Qatari ruler and wished the country continued peace, progress and prosperity.
“During the call, the Prime Minister also lauded Qatar’s valuable role in efforts to bring peace in Gaza,” the PMO said.
“He expressed his deep appreciation for Qatar’s facilitation of talks aimed at easing tensions between Pakistan and Afghanistan.”
Pakistan has sought closer ties with Qatar in recent months. Sharif visited Doha in a show of solidarity after Israel’s airstrikes on the country in September, while Qatar publicly supported Pakistan during a brief military conflict with India in May, which Islamabad has highlighted as evidence of a deepening two-way partnership.
“He reaffirmed Pakistan’s abiding commitment to further strengthening of the longstanding and multifaceted bilateral partnership between the two brotherly countries,” the PMO said.
Sharif invited the Qatari emir to visit Pakistan “at a mutually convenient date,” the PMO said.
Al Thani thanked Sharif for the National Day greetings and expressed his “strong commitment” to further strengthen ties between the two nations, Sharif’s office said.
