Pakistan’s capital market has witnessed a significant rise in investor participation, with the total number of investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) crossing 583,000, moving closer to the 600,000 milestone.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), more than 190,000 new investors joined the stock market over the past year, representing a 48% increase in the total investor base.
Young Investors Lead Market Growth
The latest data shows that younger Pakistanis are driving the surge in stock market participation.
- 45% of new investors were aged 18 to 30 years
- 41% belonged to the 31 to 45-year age group
Karachi Tops New Investor Registrations
Karachi accounted for the largest share of new investor accounts, contributing 25% of all registrations. Lahore followed with 16%, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi together made up 13% of new investor accounts.
SECP Credits Easier Investment Process
The SECP attributed the record growth to reforms aimed at making investing more accessible. One of the key measures was increasing the Sahulat Account investment limit from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 3 million, allowing more individuals to participate in the stock market.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said encouraging young people to invest in Pakistan’s capital market remains the regulator’s top priority. He also announced that a digital onboarding mobile application will be launched soon to simplify account opening and make investing more convenient.
He added that stronger capital markets can support economic growth by channeling household savings into productive investments, while reaffirming the SECP’s commitment to making investing simpler, faster, and more accessible for all citizens.
