The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has issued an Investment Finance Services licence to Foremost Financial Services (Private) Limited to operate as a non-banking finance company (NBFC), and granted Instant Finance (Private) Limited prior permission to proceed with registration as an NBFC under the applicable regulatory framework. The approvals relate to digital lending models, with Foremost intending to offer digital nano-lending services and Instant Finance planning digital lending for small and medium enterprises. SECP said the licensing and approval-in-principle were processed on an expedited basis and positioned the decisions within its agenda to strengthen and diversify the NBFC sector and facilitate investment by reputable foreign institutions. Sponsors of the two entities have an international business presence in jurisdictions including Indonesia, Mexico and Nigeria.