The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has clarified that recent media reports suggesting a large number of foreign companies have exited Pakistan are based on a misunderstanding of official data available on its website.
According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, only 19 foreign companies halted their operations in Pakistan between 2022 and 2025. During the same period, 79 new foreign companies were registered, showing a net increase rather than a decline in foreign business activity.
The commission explained that the list circulating in the media, which mentions 125 foreign companies, includes firms that have closed their operations over a long period starting from 1977. It does not reflect closures from the last three years alone. Each company on the list clearly mentions the year of cessation, making the data transparent and verifiable.
SECP officials said the misinterpretation created an inaccurate picture of the investment climate, despite official records showing continued foreign interest. In the last month alone, foreign investors put money into 82 local companies across different sectors.
These investments came from a wide range of countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Australia, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, Denmark, South Africa, and Spain. As of February 2026, a total of 1,157 foreign companies remain registered with the SECP, reflecting an ongoing foreign business presence in Pakistan.
