Key Takeaways
- The Finance Minister, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, reviewed the performance of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
- Over 18,000 new companies were registered during the review period.
- The SECP is implementing an AI-based company registration system and transforming offices into Business Facilitation Centres.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb visited the headquarters of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to review its performance. During a high-level meeting, Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu provided an overview of SECP's initiatives from January 2026 to June 30, 2026.
The Finance Minister was briefed on various reforms aimed at promoting investment, strengthening capital markets, and improving corporate governance. The Commission has made significant progress in digitizing regulatory processes, with over 18,000 new companies registered during the review period. This includes advancements in post-incorporation services, licensing, and digital regulatory procedures.
The SECP is also working on an artificial intelligence-based company registration system to further streamline operations. Additionally, regional SECP offices are being transformed into Business Facilitation Centres, and a Central Ultimate Beneficial Owner (UBO) Registry Portal is under development. Shareholding records of unlisted companies are being digitized as part of these efforts.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb emphasized the importance of maintaining an effective balance between facilitating businesses and ensuring robust regulatory oversight. He highlighted that technological advancements should be accompanied by comprehensive process re-engineering to simplify regulatory procedures, enhance service delivery, and improve ease of doing business while reducing costs.
The Finance Minister encouraged regular engagement with businesses, investors, and other stakeholders through focused consultations to obtain practical feedback and ensure regulatory reforms remain responsive to market needs. He also praised the Commission's enforcement efforts, particularly actions against state-owned enterprises for regulatory non-compliance.
During the meeting, it was noted that 10 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) had been approved during the review period, with more in the pipeline. The SECP is also working on measures to deepen Pakistan’s capital markets and broaden investor participation by simplifying investor onboarding, enhancing digital investment platforms, and increasing the investment limit under the Sahulat Account and Sehl Account.
The Finance Minister further discussed reforms in the insurance and non-bank financial sectors, including initiatives to expand insurance coverage, promote Islamic finance and Takaful, facilitate housing finance and women's entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial inclusion through innovative digital products.
Technological advancements should be accompanied by comprehensive process re-engineering to simplify regulatory procedures, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall ease of doing business while reducing cost of doing business.
Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue
