How to trade in Karachi Stock Exchange?

Trading at Karachi Stock Exchange is pretty simple. You just have to follow three steps and they are:

Step 1:

Choose Broker of your choice. Some of the most popular brokers are:

1- AKD Securities – www.akdtrade.com

2- Arif Habib Securities – www.ahletrade.com

3- Fauji Securities – www.fsedge.com

Step 2:

Open Account with the broker by filling in Account Opening Form. You can download the form directly from their website, have it filled and send them either through courier or submitting it directly in their office premise. You can also scan it and send them via Email.

Please keep in mind the following tips while filling Account Opening Form:

1. Your name, signature and other details will be verified from NADRA, so fill in your details exactly as they appear in your CNIC/Passport
2. Subscribe to CDC Access facility so you can monitor your investments. Also, ensure that you don’t provide portable mobile number
3. Provide your Bank details so you can transfer funds and receive dividends in your account directly
4. You can also pledge your shares /securities to secure loan from a bank

Step 3:

Make a Payment to the broker from variety of payments options available. That’s it!

You will then receive a Welcome Pack via courier from Broker with Web/Mobile trading terminal user id & password that you can use it for online trading.

Retail Shops in Singapore provide more than just Products

It is interesting to see that 7-eleven stores are everywhere in Singapore from airport, gas stations, bus/MRT stations to small neighborhoods and streets, even some of these stores are located just besides each other. These stores are working on franchise model and providing not just products but also associated services from bill payments, mobile top up, tourist sim, courier services, ticket sales (bus/metro/popular attractions), easy cash advance, online shopping payment and cash withdrawal services.

Though retail shops in Pakistan also provide similar services and after the introduction of branchless banking such as EasyPaisa, HBL Express, UBL Omni, TimePey and MobiCash, customers can also pay for their utility bills, deposit and withdraw cash, receive & send remittances at their partnered small shops - but the good will and marketing of these shops are not as strong as 7-eleven. I will make my point by providing an example which is that tourists to Singapore know the address of 7-eleven at airport for buying of tourist sim and EZ link pass, which is a prepaid card used for traveling at MRT and also serve as the entrance for most of Singapore attractions, buying of products at 7-eleven and other stores as well as restaurants. This has only become possible through strong branding.

And, its not just the marketing aspect but these branchless banks in Pakistan also risk their reputation in the hands of unexperienced staff at these shops. Therefore there is a need in the country for a network of shops based on 7-eleven stores model which is of course a franchise model where each store is qualified after proper scrutinity and they also provide training to the staff so they can deal professionally with customers. 

Another interesting lesson from Singapore 7-eleven model is that they also provide courier services in partnership with Singapore Post and Ta-Q-Bin. So similarly our local courier companies such as TCS and Leopards should also venture in with the retailers similarly like banks and telecom companies for more business and providing ease to their customers.

The same model could also help boost the country's economy and exports if applied at overseas Pakistani community where the stores in their neighborhood provide one-stop shopping, financial, courier, television subscription and air ticketing services. The efforts of the local companies is the key.

Pakistan's Transportation

Transportation network in Pakistan is extensive and serving a population of 180 million people. Construction of new airports, roads, and railway are providing a massive employment boost in Pakistan. It is worth mentioning here that the motorway system in the country is at par with other developed countries. This includes Peshawer to Islamabad motorway M1, Islamabad to Lahore motorway M2 and Lahore to Faisalabad motorway M3. Work on the expansion of Karakoram Highway which connects Islamabad to China is underway. Though the network in Southern region of the country which includes Karachi (Pakistan's Port City with country's two largest seaports and the airport) is still not at par with even Pakistani standards.

Pakistan's Retail Sector

Pakistan's retail industry is currently estimated at $42billion and rapidly growing. The FMCG sector is directly benefiting from this rapid growth with the increase in retail sales. The entrant of foreign retail chains have significantly improved the supply-chain network of the country which resulted in profoundly altering the retail landscape.