By Rafiq Vayani
DUBAI/KARACHI: In a landmark moment at the Pakistan Stock Exchange Limited – PSX, a powerful alliance between Sunridge Foods (a subsidiary of Unity Foods Ltd.), InfraZamin Pakistan and BankIslami Pakistan Limited, unveiled Pakistan’s first-ever Agri-Infrastructure Sukuk, setting a bold precedent for ethical, climate-resilient finance in agriculture.
Dr. Shamshad Akhtar opened the dialogue with a compelling call for inclusive financing models that address Pakistan’s development challenges. Applauding Sunridge and InfraZamin’s trailblazing role in underserved sectors like agriculture, she hailed the Sukuk as a transformative step toward equitable growth.
Amir Shehzad, Chairman Unity Foods and Executive Director at Sunridge Foods, shared Sunridge’s scale-up journey in a fragmented market and called for urgent reforms: export policy overhaul, stronger PPP frameworks, and support for corporate farming to boost national food security.
Maheen Rahman, CEO of InfraZamin, spotlighted the Sukuk’s innovative tenor and pricing structure, emphasizing its catalytic role, just like the South Asia-first Gender Bond in unlocking capital for high-impact sectors.
Rizwan Ata, CEO of BankIslami, reiterated the banking sector’s commitment to ESG and Shariah-compliant financing, calling this initiative a proud alignment of business, purpose, and faith. Lance Domm, British Deputy High Commissioner, framed the Sukuk as a key evolution in global capital markets underscoring the UK’s early role in co-founding InfraZamin and championing private sector-led development finance. Imran Inayat Butt, Executive Director at SECP, positioned the Sukuk as a replicable model for future green and social infrastructure financing, urging deeper transparency and trust in the capital market ecosystem.
Farrukh Sabzwari, CEO of PSX, closed the event with a powerful message: the Sukuk marks a turning point for Pakistan’s debt markets, one that demands bold collaboration and sustained innovation to truly scale sustainable finance.
This launch isn’t just a financial milestone, it’s a testament to visionary partnerships turning capital into catalytic impact. Together, we are redefining what inclusive, purpose-driven finance looks like for building a resilient, food-secure Pakistan.
