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Enhancing Investor Participation: Lessons from the Global Markets and Strategies for Pakistan\u27s Capital Market Development
No full textThis is an experiential learning project which is collaborated with Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) and introduces strategic ways of increasing investor participation and financial awareness in Pakistan’s capital market. Acknowledging the essential role of capital markets in economic growth, the project examines domestic barriers, as well as the international best practices, to suggest realistic solutions, correspondent to Pakistan’s culture.
Both primary and secondary research approaches have been adopted in the project, primary research in the form of surveys and cross-tabulations; secondary research covering the trends of the capital market in India, Indonesia, Malaysia, China, Bangladesh, and the United States. It is evident from the key findings of the primary research that major market entry barriers are noted in the case of Pakistan, covering religious and cultural reservations, financial illiteracy, a lack of access to knowledge, a complicated setting up of accounts, and pervasive distrust in regulatory controls.
Furthermore, the secondary research exposes successful investor engagement models of emerging and developed economies that illustrate the influence of digital investment platforms, fractional share ownership, simplified framework of regulations, targeted financial education, and an integration of Sharia-compliant investment options.
The final output of this project comprises of: A detailed comparative study of the behavior of investors, as well as regulations in global markets. Determination of the main barriers to structure and behavior in Pakistan’s capital markets. Strategic and operational recommendations for PSX and policy stakeholders. A roadmap that outlines the means of enhancing the engagement of retailers in terms of education, integration of technology, revised regulations, and gaining public trust.
By making the global lessons applicable to Pakistan’s socio-economic realities, this project hopes to create a more open and informed investor pool, a prerequisite for better liquidity in capital markets, a recharged sense of public trust, and an increasingly sustainable financial sector
PL Opportunities
No full textThis report examines Bazaar Technologies’ private-label (PL) trade marketing strategy among general-trade vendors in Karachi. The objectives were to: (i) map current PL availability across five core FMCG categories (Laundry, Tissue, Soap, Cleaner & Homecare, Food & Spices), (ii) assess vendor sourcing habits and perceptions, (iii) identify competitive dynamics, and (iv) develop actionable recommendations to strengthen Bazaar’s PL penetration and vendor engagement.
Using structured store visits (100 shops across nine neighborhoods) and a standardized questionnaire, we collected quantitative data on stocking rates, PL adoption, pricing perceptions, display practices, and ordering frequency. Qualitative insights were also gathered through open-ended vendor interviews. Analysis revealed high baseline category coverage in Laundry, Soap, and Homecare (~84% stocking), but weak PL adoption (10–36%). Tissue (~68% stocking; only 3% PL adoption) and Food & Spices (~60%; \u3c 5% adoption) remained under-penetrated.
Key findings include:
Visibility Deficit: 70–90% of retailers use basic shelf stacking; eye-level placements or end-cap visibility for PL SKUs are rare.
Pricing & Promotions: Vendors frequently perceive Bazaar’s PL pricing as equal to or higher than national brands. Discount eligibility is poorly understood.
Ordering Patterns: PL orders are infrequent (mostly quarterly), often driven by price and stock availability. Trade promotions and delivery speed are secondary decision factors.
We propose a three-pronged trade-marketing strategy:
Incentivization & Discounts: Launch a “Bazaar Club” loyalty model with tiered discounts, combo promotions, and guaranteed rebate transparency.
Visibility & Merchandising: Deploy shelf talkers, branded racks, and end-cap planograms; sample sachets and banner ads on the app.
Vendor Engagement & Loyalty: Introduce a “Bazaar Champion” vendor training program, WhatsApp video content for low-penetration categories, and ongoing feedback loops.
Implementation via a three-month rollout—with clear KPIs (e.g., PL reorder rate, merchandising compliance, rebate awareness)—will help Bazaar scale private-label trial, deepen repeat purchase, and win vendor trust in the general-trade channel
Develop and Roll-Out Treasury Reports
No full textAbstract
In today’s dynamic financial environment, the effective management of cash and liquidity is not just a back-office function but a strategic enabler for an organization’s overall performance. This report presents a practical exploration of treasury operations at The Dawood Foundation (TDF), focusing on key treasury functions such as budgeted cash flows, daily bank positions, and short-term investment planning. Utilizing tools like Power BI and Excel, the report demonstrates how digital dashboards can enhance visibility, improve decision-making, and support the long-term sustainability of nonprofit foundations. The project was developed under the Experiential Learning Project (ELP) initiative in partnership with the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).
Our team collaborated with the Foundation’s CFO and designed mock-up financial reports based on realistic and publicly available information. The centrepiece of our analysis was the budgeted cash flow dashboard—one of the most critical documents in any treasury department. Supported by auxiliary reports like daily bank summaries, the final deliverables reflect how nonprofit organizations can improve operational transparency and planning rigor. This ELP project also reinforces several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), particularly SDG 17 (Partnerships for the Goals) and SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure), by applying academic frameworks to real-world social impact contexts.
Furthermore, the project contributes to the thought leadership area of digital finance transformation within nonprofits, a topic gaining increasing traction in financial management circles. Through a comprehensive methodology involving Excel modelling, data transformation, Power BI visualizations, and stakeholder engagement, this report provides a replicable template for future treasury modernization efforts. Ethical considerations, data structuring challenges, and post-project reflections are also addressed, giving the reader an in-depth view of the process behind the dashboard. Ultimately, the work showcases how students can act as catalysts for innovation within legacy institutions by bridging academic knowledge with applied financial tools.
The methodology involved initially understanding TDF revenue model, which is centered on rental income from the Dawood Centre, Dawood Public School, and the MagnifiScience Centre, as well as dividend income from strategic investments. Based on this, a comprehensive Excel model was created, which detailed monthly inflows and outflows, culminating in net cash flow and closing balances. The model incorporated actual versus budgeted performance, laying the groundwork for strategic variance analysis. The Power BI dashboard then transformed these numbers into a narrative accessible to non-financial stakeholders. Additionally, the project emphasized cross-functional learning and collaboration. Each team member engaged in tasks beyond their specialization, ensuring exposure to financial modeling, Power BI dashboard creation, data visualization, and professional communication. One of the key challenges faced was the unavailability of real-time financial data from TDF CFO, which required the team to devise hypothetical, yet realistic figures based on secondary data, such as website insights and publicly disclosed financial reports. The iterative back-and-forth with data formatting, Power BI compatibility, and Excel formula linking revealed the real-world complexity of building dashboards that were both dynamic and user-friendly
Driving Efficiency: Tariff Forecasting and Policy Recommendations Under the CTBCM Model
No full textThe power sector plays a pivotal role in driving economic growth and modernization. However, Pakistan\u27s electricity market remains mired in structural inefficiencies, largely due to the limitations of the prevailing single buyer model. This study explores the transition toward a liberalized power market under the Competitive Trading Bilateral Contract Market (CTBCM) framework. The research is divided into two phases: first, diagnosing the root causes of inefficiencies within the current market structure; second, evaluating how the implementation of CTBCM can address these issues. A tariff forecasting model was developed to assess the impact of bilateral contracts and competitive auctions on electricity tariffs for both regulated and bulk power consumers. The methodology included a review of NEPRA\u27s State of Industry Reports, expert consultations, analysis of DISCO petitions for Use of System Charges, and international case studies from countries that have undergone similar transitions. Findings suggest that while CTBCM lays the groundwork for competition, it must be complemented with broader regulatory reforms—such as the removal of cross-subsidies, DISCO autonomy, and transmission sector competition—to ensure long-term sectoral efficiency. The study concludes that with these complementary measures and macroeconomic stability, Pakistan can achieve a sustainable, competitive power market
Family business transition : advice & cases on transition, succession & split
No full textThe authors of this book, Dr. Arif Iqbal Rana and Dr. Rameez Khalid, highlighted effectively how family businesses operate successfully in Pakistan. Their theoretical and practical knowledge and experience provide a basis from which family businesses can learn and operate creating sustainable and successful family business in Pakistan. They illustrate that, if family businesses are not managed appropriately, it may result in business failure and family conflict. The authors illustrated that if the family business is managed successfully, more socio-economic stability can be created. One of the critical issues highlighted for long-term success of family businesses is succession planning. Family businesses are especially vulnerable in the transition phase from one generation to the next. A smooth transition is often difficult to achieve. A lack of confidence, uncertainty and emotional baggage stemming from the child/parent relationship may ruin the most straightforward succession process. The authors provided clear examples on how successful succession can be achieved. The authors have written this book in such a format that it may act as practical guide for leaders within a family business.https://ir.iba.edu.pk/iba-press/1016/thumbnail.jp
From Love to Action: How Brand Love Drives Engagement and COBRAs
No full textPurpose: This study investigates the role of brand love in shaping Consumers’ Online Brand-Related Activities (COBRAs) while examining the mediating role of brand engagement and the moderating influence of brand value.
Methodology: A quantitative research approach was adopted, involving 250 respondents selected through convenience sampling. Data were collected using a structured online survey and analyzed using SPSS for statistical analysis, including regression and correlation tests.
Findings: Results reveal that brand love significantly impacts COBRAs both directly and indirectly through brand engagement. Additionally, brand value moderates the relationship between brand engagement and COBRAs, amplifying consumer participation. These findings highlight the critical interplay between emotional, cognitive, and perceived value factors in online consumer behavior.
Originality/Value: This study contributes to existing literature by providing a comprehensive framework integrating brand love, engagement, and value in the context of COBRAs, specifically within the food sector, offering valuable insights for interactive marketing strategies
Escalation, deterrence and diplomacy
No full textThe May 2025 India-Pakistan conflict highlighted the risks of escalation, deterrence, and strategic misadventures in South Asia. India launched unprovoked missile and airstrikes in Pakistan, citing the Pahalgam attack, but international law deemed these actions unlawful. The Pakistan Air Force successfully repelled the strikes, downing seven Indian jets, and Pakistan launched counter-operations targeting military sites in India and Indian-occupied Kashmir. Experts highlight that both nations exercised limited deterrence, avoiding full-scale civilian casualties. The conflict underscored Kashmir and the Indus Waters Treaty as enduring flashpoints, while Pakistan leveraged diplomacy and strengthened military deterrence. Analysts warn that ongoing doctrinal shifts in India could destabilize regional security and necessitate careful strategic management
Undermining universities
No full textS. Akbar Zaidi critiques Pakistan’s higher education crisis, highlighting the recent withdrawal of a 25% tax rebate for teachers under IMF pressure, which has reduced faculty salaries and discouraged talent from joining universities. He argues that Pakistan’s 270 universities largely function as degree-awarding institutions rather than centers of learning, with only about 50 providing meaningful education. Chronic financial constraints, poor governance by the HEC, and politically driven proliferation of substandard universities have further weakened the sector. Zaidi stresses that funding alone cannot solve these issues; instead, universities should be differentiated by quality, with stronger institutions granted autonomy and struggling ones given targeted support. He calls for consolidation of existing universities rather than creating new ones, to ensure quality education and prepare youth for employment. Without reform, the so-called demographic dividend risks turning into a burden
Al-Biruni in chains
No full textThe article explores how Mahmud of Ghazni (r. 998–1030) and other Muslim Persianate rulers treated scholars, poets, and intellectuals as both symbols of prestige and tangible assets of empire. Conquerors not only seized territories and treasures but also forcibly relocated men of letters, artists, and scientists, integrating them into state machinery as advisers, officials, and court poets. Mahmud, often described as a patron of learning, is reframed by scholars like E.G. Browne as a “kidnapper of literary men,” with up to 400 poets in his court, including the renowned Abu’l Qasim Unsuri. Al-Biruni, considered one of the greatest Muslim scientists, was reportedly brought to Mahmud’s court in chains, yet produced monumental works such as Kitab al-Hind under Ghaznavid patronage. Ibn Sina (Avicenna), another towering figure, resisted Mahmud’s demands, leading to a life of political intrigues, imprisonment, and eventual refuge in Isfahan. The essay underscores that in the Muslim Persianate world, intellectuals were not merely cultural ornaments but central to political legitimacy and imperial power, intertwining intellectual and political history
CEJ at IBA celebrates its 10-year journey in meaningful manner
No full textThe Centre for Excellence in Journalism (CEJ) at IBA marked its 10th anniversary with the event “A Decade of Excellence” at the JS Auditorium, City Campus. The gathering brought together journalists, academics, diplomats, and students to celebrate CEJ’s role in promoting ethical, innovative, and impactful journalism in Pakistan. IBA’s Executive Director, Dr. S. Akbar Zaidi, stressed the Centre’s significance in academia and highlighted the need to revisit the role of journalism in light of AI and democratic values. US Consul General Scott Urbom praised CEJ’s decade-long partnership with the US government, its contributions to press freedom, and nurturing future journalists. Renowned journalist Hamid Mir reflected on the increasing censorship in Pakistan, warning of its implications for press freedom and democracy