Pakistan to eliminate interest rates from economy by 2027

Islamabad, May 29 The aim is to eliminate interest from the country's economy by 2027, said State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, addressing the Islamic Capital Markets conference in Islamabad on Monday, Express Tribune reported.

The Security and Exchange Commission of Pakistan and SBP are working together on reforms to promote the Islamic finance sector, he added. The governor was seconded by SECP Chairperson Akif Saeed.

"In the past decade the country has seen a 24 per cent rise/growth in Islamic banking, with the Islamic capital market growing to around $3 trillion," he said, adding that this has reflected positively in the overall state of the country's economy. "Islamic banking now makes up 20 per cent of the banking sector in Pakistan."

According to Ahmad, Pakistan has issued Sukuk bonds (Shariah-compliant bonds) worth Rs 2.8 trillion. A committee has been formed within the SBP to convert government debt into Sukuk, he informed, Express Tribune reported.

Ahmad said that there are ongoing discussions for funding from the capital market through Shariah compliance. The SBP governor was of the view that financial requirements of the government can also be met through Sukuk issuance.

"The size of the corporate banking sector in Pakistan is very small. There is a need to increase the corporate debt market while the Islamic banking market can be promoted further by promoting Sukook," added Ahmad, Express Tribune reported.

Meanwhile, SECP Chairperson Akif Mian while addressing the conference said that after the Federal Shariat Court (FSC) ruling last year, directing that Pakistan implement a riba-free banking system and transform the economy by 2027 year-end, important measures have been taken to promote a an Islamic financial system within the country. The goal is to promote the capital market, he added.

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