Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan reports 14,802 new company registrations and 94 licenses issued in the first four months of fiscal year 2025

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) reported that 14,802 new companies were incorporated in the first four months of fiscal year 2025, almost entirely through its online eZfile system, taking the total number of registered companies in Pakistan to 272,918. Over the same period, SECP issued 94 licenses across multiple regulatory segments, including capital markets, non-banking finance, market intermediaries, insurance surveyors and not-for-profit associations. Total paid-up capital for the newly registered companies was PKR 20.59 billion, with private limited companies accounting for 59% of incorporations and single-member companies 37%. SECP also reported 10 foreign companies establishing a place of business in Pakistan and 332 newly registered companies receiving foreign capital from a range of jurisdictions. On licensing, the 94 approvals comprised eight capital market licenses, 15 licenses for Non-Banking Financial Companies, 25 licenses for securities market and futures brokers and other intermediaries including five new licenses and 20 renewals, four licenses for insurance surveyors including two new and two renewals, and 42 licenses for Not-for-Profit Associations. SECP announced a comprehensive awareness drive on the advantages of incorporation and reiterated plans to continue strengthening its digital infrastructure and streamlining regulatory processes.