Karachi, 16th September: The Central Depository Company of Pakistan (CDC) has officially onboarded KTrade Securities Limited to its RAAST Aggregator Platform, expanding instant digital fund transfers for retail investors. The agreement was signed at CDC House by Mr. Badiuddin Akber, Chief Executive Officer of CDC, and Mr. Mahmood Ali Shah Bukhari, Chief Executive Officer of KTrade Securities Limited.
RAAST: A Game-Changer for Financial Inclusion
RAAST, the instant payment system introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan, has transformed financial inclusion in the country. Its integration into the capital market through CDC’s Aggregator has removed delays and inefficiencies in investor fund transfers. Each investor sub-account is assigned a unique RAAST Investment ID (IBAN format), enabling seamless settlements from bank to brokerage account within minutes.
Benefits for Retail Investors
With KTrade Securities now part of the RAAST platform, thousands of investors will gain from quicker and safer fund transfers. For retail participants, who make up a large part of KTrade’s base, this advancement ensures greater market accessibility and trust. Investors can now move funds instantly, respond faster to opportunities, and participate more actively in the capital market.
Strengthening Pakistan’s Financial Ecosystem
This step highlights RAAST’s wider impact on Pakistan’s financial system. Beyond enabling fast transactions, it is redefining investor engagement by promoting digital participation, reducing reliance on cash and manual transfers, and fostering transparency and speed. This builds investor confidence and accelerates market activity.
CDC’s Digital Vision for Capital Markets
CDC continues to back the RAAST framework with its own digital initiatives. These include Asaan Connect, a one-window onboarding platform for investors, and Emlaak Financials, the country’s first mutual fund aggregation portal. Together, these platforms strengthen the CDC’s role as the backbone of Pakistan’s capital market infrastructure and advance the nation toward a more inclusive, efficient, and technology-driven financial system.
