The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a digital Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Registry, aiming to increase transparency, strengthen regulatory oversight, and prevent misuse of companies for illegal activities.
Under the new system, all companies will be required to disclose information about their Ultimate Beneficial Owners, the natural persons who ultimately control or own a company, at the time of incorporation.
Companies will also have to update this information annually to ensure accuracy, with the registry designed to provide regulators with a clear view of ownership structures across the corporate sector.
The registry was established through amendments notified under S.R.O. 1355(I)/2025 of the Companies Regulations, 2024, which require identification and verification of UBOs in line with Section 123A of the Companies Act, 2017.
The initiative aims to strengthen Pakistan’s corporate governance framework by enabling authorities to identify the individuals who control corporate entities and curb the misuse of companies for unlawful purposes.
According to the SECP, the digital registry will enhance corporate accountability, reinforce the country’s anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing framework, and help build a more transparent and reliable business environment.
The Commission reiterated its commitment to progressive regulatory reforms and digital solutions, emphasising that the registry will facilitate compliance, improve transparency, and strengthen confidence in Pakistan’s corporate sector.
