London, September 29, 2026 — The Europe Today: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday became the first Pakistani prime minister to open a trading session at the London Stock Exchange (LSE), while also formally inaugurating Pakistan’s landmark US$3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond.
Addressing the ceremony at the LSE headquarters in Paternoster Square, the prime minister highlighted Pakistan’s potential to attract high-yield, secure and mutually beneficial foreign investment.
He said the government had worked extensively in recent years to strengthen the country’s economy and improve its macroeconomic indicators.
“As I speak, we have strengthened our macroeconomic indicators, which are very promising and augur very well for the future,” he said.
The ceremony was attended by London Stock Exchange Group Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Adviser to the Prime Minister on Privatisation Muhammad Ali, Pakistan High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Tipu Usman, members of the Pakistani delegation and senior British officials.
The prime minister’s visit to the London Stock Exchange highlighted Pakistan’s renewed engagement with international capital markets and its efforts to attract foreign investment.
Referring to the successful issuance of the US$3 billion dual-tranche sovereign Eurobond, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif commended the finance minister and his team for their efforts, saying the transaction reflected the government’s economic reforms, structural changes and initiatives to promote digitisation and place the national economy on a stronger footing.
He also highlighted the privatisation of Pakistan International Airlines and First Women Bank, saying the government was moving towards transferring other state-owned enterprises to the private sector.
The prime minister said Pakistan and the United Kingdom could cooperate closely in the area of privatisation and investment.
Commenting on regional developments, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said Pakistan’s economy had significant potential for further growth, while noting that the country was also navigating challenges arising from the Gulf crisis.
He said Pakistan, like other emerging economies, was dealing with the evolving situation while also playing a role in diplomatic efforts, including mediation between the United States and Iran.
The prime minister also emphasized the need to draw lessons from the changing regional environment, particularly as international investors increasingly assess the security and stability of potential investment destinations.
Addressing David Schwimmer, he sought the London Stock Exchange’s guidance on strengthening Pakistan’s engagement with international financial markets, not only through sovereign debt issuance but also by facilitating attractive investment opportunities.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif described his participation in opening the LSE trading session as a significant occasion and an important step towards strengthening Pakistan’s longstanding relationship with the London Stock Exchange. He also invited David Schwimmer to visit Pakistan.
The US$3 billion transaction, Pakistan’s largest-ever international bond issuance, attracted nearly US$6 billion in orders from global investors, almost twice the amount raised. The demand came from a broad and geographically diversified institutional investor base.
The transaction represents the first issuance under Pakistan’s renewed Global Medium-Term Note (GMTN) Programme, following the country’s inaugural Panda Bond and subsequent sovereign credit-rating upgrades.
The Eurobond issuance forms part of Pakistan’s broader debt-management strategy aimed at diversifying funding sources, extending maturities and reducing refinancing risks.
Earlier, upon his arrival at the London Stock Exchange, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and his delegation were warmly received by LSEG Chief Executive Officer David Schwimmer and senior officials of the London Stock Exchange Group.
