PSX holds gong ceremony for Zarea Ltd’s listing

KARACHI: The Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) hosted a gong ceremony to mark the successful listing of Zarea Limited, a pioneering B2B e-commerce platform transforming commodity trading in Pakistan. Established in September 2020, Zarea Limited has quickly emerged as a leader in the digital B2B marketplace, connecting buyers and sellers of cement, steel, agricultural biomass and construction materials.

The event was attended by distinguished guests, including Senior Minister for Information, Transport & Mass Transit, Government of Sindh Sharjeel Inam Memon and President and CEO of National Bank of Pakistan Rehmat Ali Hasnie as chief guests. Other notable attendees included MD and CEO of PSX Farrukh H Sabzwari, CEO of Zarea Limited Ali Alam Qamar, CEO of Topline Securities Mohammed Sohail, CEO of Growth Securities Muhammad Shahid, board members of Zarea Limited, and board members and management of the PSX.

Zarea Limited’s listing marks the first initial public offering (IPO) of 2025 on the PSX main board. The IPO received an overwhelming response, concluding with an oversubscription of 1.9 times and raising a total of Rs1.03 billion through the book-building process.

Speaking at the ceremony, Sabzwari said, “The successful IPO of Zarea Limited is a milestone for Pakistan’s capital markets, reflecting growing investor confidence in technology-driven enterprises. This achievement highlights the strength and potential of the PSX as a platform for fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.”

Qamar remarked, “As Pakistan’s leading B2B commodities marketplace, we are committed to revolutionising the industry through technology, efficiency, transparency and innovation. With Pakistan’s commodities market valued at over $20 billion, Zarea aims to capture at least 1-2 percent of this market in the next 7-10 years. This listing is just the beginning. With a clear vision, strong fundamentals, and a growing digital economy, we are poised to redefine commodity trading in Pakistan.”

Sohail emphasised the importance of IPOs in strengthening Pakistan’s capital markets. “We have been actively introducing new companies through IPOs, and Zarea Limited’s listing is a testament to the market’s evolving landscape. As an adviser, we have underscored the importance of corporate governance, ensuring maximum value creation for shareholders.”Shahid expressed his confidence in Zarea Limited’s future. “This achievement is a testament to the company’s vision, leadership and commitment to excellence.”