Key Takeaways
- Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, visited the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
- The visit aimed at reviewing ongoing reforms in capital markets and facilitating investors.
- SECP reported a record 48% rise in stock market investors over the past year.
Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, recently visited the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to review ongoing reforms aimed at strengthening capital markets. The visit underscored the government's commitment to improving ease of doing business and facilitating investor participation.
During the meeting, SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu briefed Senator Aurangzeb on major achievements in the capital market sector, including record company registrations, growth in initial public offerings (IPOs) and the investor base, non-banking financial companies (NBFC) licensing, third-party motor insurance reforms, enhanced enforcement actions, and digital transformation initiatives.
The Finance Minister emphasized the need for balanced regulation that supports business growth while ensuring transparency, compliance, and fair market practices. He stressed the importance of continued innovation, simplified processes, and technology-driven regulatory services to strengthen Pakistan’s financial markets.
SECP reported a significant increase in stock market participation, with the number of investors rising by 48% over the past year. According to SECP, more than 190,000 new investors entered the market during this period, bringing the total number of stock market investors to over 583,000.
Young investors drove much of the growth, with 45% of new investors falling in the 18–30 age group and another 41% between 31 and 45 years old. Karachi led with 25% of all new investor accounts, followed by Lahore with 16%, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi together contributed 13%. The SECP attributed this increase to reforms such as raising the Sahulat Account investment limit from Rs1 million to Rs3 million, simplifying account opening through banks and digital platforms, and introducing measures like IBAN verification and minor trading accounts.
Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, SECP Chairman, highlighted that engaging young people in the capital market remains a top priority for the regulator. He added that a digital onboarding mobile app is being introduced to further simplify investing. The SECP’s objective is to make investing simple, fast, and accessible to every citizen.
The Minister appreciated SECP’s reform agenda and stressed the need for continued innovation in regulatory services. Commissioners Mr. Imtiaz Haider, Mr. Muhammad Ali Farid Khwaja, Mr. Muzzafar Ahmed Mirza, and Mr. Zeeshan Rehman Khattak, along with Advisors to Finance Minister Mr. Khurram Schehzad and Mr. Omer M. Khan, also attended the meeting.
