Pakistan, June 20 -- Pakistan raised more than Rs1.2 trillion ($4.2 billion) in a government bond auction on Wednesday, including the launch of its first-ever 15-year zero coupon bond, in a move the finance ministry said marked a shift toward longer-term and more diversified debt instruments.

The new zero coupon bond, which does not pay periodic interest but offers a lump sum at maturity, garnered strong investor demand and raised over Rs47 billion ($164.5 million).

The instrument is part of the government's broader debt management strategy aimed at reducing short-term refinancing risk, encouraging Islamic finance and expanding the country's long-term investment landscape.

"This is a major step forward in making Pakistan's financial sy...