News Desk
KARACHI: The CA Women Committee of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Pakistan (ICAP) organized the launching ceremony of CA Women on Board Directory at Pakistan Stock Exchange on January 24, 2020. The Directory is a compilation of details of over 350 CA Women who are eligible for appointment as independent directors on the Boards of public interest entities.
Hina Usmani, Vice President ICAP and Chairperson CA Women Committee expressed confidence that the Directory will serve as a key source for corporates seeking professional and talented women on their Boards. She pointed out that companies with female directors on their boards show better financial performance. The strong leadership skills demonstrated by CA Women are due to robust professional training, excellent education and examination systems and she is confident these professionals will add substantial value in organizational growth and profitability. Hina while appreciating the landmark step by SECP to include one woman on Board, emphasized the need for inclusion of professional women within the criteria of independent director to encourage and draw benefit from the professional untapped talent.
Khalilullah Shaikh, President ICAP applauded the efforts of CA Women’s Committee and termed the unique initiative of Directory of CA Women truly commendable and a testimony of the Institute’s unwavering commitment to public interest. He further added that CA profession is marked with achievements and legacies of many outstanding CA women who have served at C-suite positions in their organizations due to their brilliance and continuous hard work. According to him, now is the time to welcome more and more women professionals on boards and adding their voices to business leadership in the world. He reiterated ICAP’s full support to SECP in all the initiatives of inclusion and corporate governance. Mr. Muhammad Rafique Umer, Acting Managing Director – Pakistan Stock Exchange speaking at the occasion congratulated ICAP on launch of CA Women on Board Directory 2020. He positively hailed the directory as a guiding light providing much needed support to listed companies in nominating independent women directors on their boards. He said it was a matter of pride for Pakistan Stock Exchange that such a directory has been brought forward since PSX, as a frontline regulator, is at the forefront of advocating inclusion and gender diversity in listed companies throughout Pakistan. PSX is committed to the Sustainability Development Goals (SDGs) and believes in partnering with institutions, corporates and other organizations to achieve the outlined SDGs 2030. The event was attended by a large number of senior representatives of listed companies, Council, Past Presidents and senior executives of the Institute, the members of the Board and management of PSX, members of Women committee and Regional committee of the Institute.
