ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has reported strong growth in company registrations, foreign investment, digitalisation, and compliance during February-April 2026, following reforms introduced by the new management.
As part of efforts to modernise Pakistan’s corporate sector, the SECP focused on faster disposal of incorporation and licensing applications, improving guidance for companies on regulatory requirements, and strengthening the department through workforce enhancement.
The SECP registered 10,511 new companies from February to April 2026, showing a 21 percent increase compared to 8,693 companies incorporated during the same period last year. Out of the total, 4,082 companies were incorporated in April alone, the highest monthly incorporation figure recorded by the regulator.
According to SECP data, investors from more than 22 countries registered companies in Pakistan during the period. Around 220 companies were registered with foreign shareholders, having cumulative paid-up capital of Rs882 million, compared to Rs277 million during the corresponding period last year, showing an increase of approximately 218 percent.
Foreign investment remained concentrated in trading, services, information technology, construction, and mining sectors. Chinese investors remained among the leading foreign participants in newly incorporated companies.
The SECP also reported strong growth in compliance filings amid intensified enforcement measures. During the period, the corporate registry received 61,960 returns, compared to 38,326 returns filed during the same period last year, showing a 61 percent increase.
The SECP launched a comprehensive compliance campaign to encourage and facilitate companies in filing statutory returns, with special focus on Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) compliance requirements.
In another key development, the SECP issued notification for replacement of physical shares into book-entry form on share transaction basis to promote digitization and transparency in the corporate sector. SECP also inked MoU with Askari Bank and NayaPay to facilitate swift bank account opening for newly incorporated companies.
As part of its expansion strategy, the SECP plans to establish Business Facilitation Centres in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Faisalabad to improve access to corporate services.
Going forward, the SECP plans to further automate company registration through AI-enabled name reservation, automated Form-A registration, digital compliance monitoring, and additional ease of doing business reforms.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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