Naveed Ahmed Khan Photos Ramzan Mughal
Islamabad: H.E. Dorsaf Maaroufi, Chargé d’Affaires of the Republic of Tunisia to Pakistan, highlighted the vast potential for increasing bilateral trade between Tunisia and Pakistan during her visit to ISE Towers REIT Management Company Limited and Zahid Latif Khan Securities (Pvt.) Ltd.
Ms. Maaroufi emphasized that Tunisia serves as a gateway to Africa, offering numerous business opportunities in both the Tunisian and broader African markets. She underscored the importance of direct interaction between the private sectors of both countries to explore all potential areas of mutual cooperation. She assured that the Tunisian Embassy is committed to facilitating business and tourism exchanges, aiming to create new avenues for collaboration. She also predicted that trade between Tunisia and Pakistan is likely to double in the near future.
Mr.Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman of ISE REIT Management Company Limited and Zahid Latif Khan Securities (Pvt.) Ltd, warmly welcomed Ms. Maaroufi and briefed her on the company’s operations. He explained that ISE REIT Management Company Limited launches and manages Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) under the REIT Regulations of 2015. The company owns the “ISE Towers,” a multi-story building in Islamabad’s Blue Area, and is in the process of launching its own Rental REIT Scheme. He also highlighted the company’s commitment to embracing the latest technologies to provide a modern workspace, ensuring long-term sustainability, and delivering excellent value to shareholders, investors, employees, suppliers, and vendors.
During the meeting, Mr. Khan gave a comprehensive presentation on investment opportunities in Pakistan. He noted that Tunisia’s geographical location is strategically important for Pakistan due to its connections with developed European countries and its position at the crossroads of emerging African markets. Similarly, Pakistan holds significant geostrategic importance for Tunisia, given its connectivity to the Middle East, Central Asia, and China, the world’s second-largest economy. He stated that close cooperation between Pakistan and Tunisia offers considerable potential for enhancing trade and exports.
Ms. Maaroufi highlighted that Tunisia was the first country to engage in mutual cooperation with Pakistan in the organic olive sector, and further collaboration is being promoted in this area. She mentioned that Tunisia continues to work under public-private partnerships for the development and production of olives in Pakistan, with several pilot projects underway.
She added that diplomatic and economic relations between Pakistan and Tunisia are strengthened by shared historical, religious, and cultural ties.
Elaborating on the profile of Zahid Latif Khan Securities (Pvt.) Ltd, Zahid Latif Khan described the firm as a leading provider of premier brokerage and financial services on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, known for its high-quality services to both corporate and retail clients. Established in 1999, the company has built an extensive network of branches across the country and became an active broker on the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange in 2010, providing opportunities for commodity trading. ZLK also conducts regular investor awareness programs and offers professional trading support, keeping clients informed with technical and fundamental analyses of equity and commodity markets. Recently, ZLK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited (DIBPL) to offer Shariah-compliant investment options, including shares, government Ijaras, Sukuk, ETFs, and Murabaha Share Financing (MSF).
H.E. Ammad Rasheed, Honorary Consul General of Tunisia for Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Dean of Consul Generals of KPK, was also present at the meeting. The discussions reflected a shared commitment to deepening economic and diplomatic relations between Tunisia and Pakistan.