The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 10,511 new companies between February and April 2026, reflecting a 21 percent increase compared to 8,693 companies incorporated during the same period last year.
According to official figures, nearly 220 companies were registered with foreign shareholding during the period. Their cumulative paid-up capital reached Rs. 882 million, up sharply from Rs. 277 million recorded in the corresponding period of 2025, representing an increase of approximately 218 percent.
The regulator said April 2026 alone saw the registration of 4,082 companies, marking the highest monthly incorporation figure ever recorded by the SECP.
Officials stated that investors from more than 22 countries established companies in Pakistan during the three-month period. Foreign investment activity remained concentrated in sectors including trading, services, information technology, construction, and mining.
Chinese investors continued to rank among the most active foreign participants in Pakistan’s corporate sector.
The SECP also reported a significant rise in statutory compliance filings following enhanced enforcement measures. During the period, the corporate registry received 61,960 statutory returns compared to 38,326 returns filed during the same period last year, reflecting an increase of 61 percent.
As part of efforts to improve compliance, the regulator launched a nationwide awareness campaign encouraging companies to submit statutory returns, especially disclosures related to Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO).
In another development, the SECP issued a notification requiring the gradual replacement of physical share certificates with book-entry form on a share-transaction basis to improve transparency and digitisation within the corporate sector.
The regulator also signed memorandums of understanding with Askari Bank and NayaPay to facilitate quicker bank account opening services for newly incorporated companies.
Additionally, the SECP announced plans to establish Business Facilitation Centres in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Sialkot, and Faisalabad to improve access to corporate services across the country.
