Islamabad: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 14,802 new companies during the first four months of the fiscal year 2026, indicating growing investor confidence and expanding business activity across the country.
According to a statement issued by the SECP, almost all new incorporations—99.9%—were processed online through the commission’s eZfile system, bringing the total number of registered companies to 272,918. The total paid-up capital of newly incorporated firms stood at Rs20.59 billion.
Private limited companies accounted for 59% of new registrations, while single-member companies represented 37%. The remaining 4% included public unlisted companies, not-for-profit organisations, trade bodies, and limited liability partnerships. Ten foreign companies also established a presence in Pakistan during the period.
The SECP attributed the strong growth in incorporations to its digital registration platform, which allows entrepreneurs to register businesses remotely without visiting any office. Around 30% of new incorporations came from nearly 250 smaller cities and towns—including Layyah, Bhakkar, Burewala, Chaman, Gwadar, Turbat, Kohat, Swat, Larkana, and Hunza—reflecting the wider outreach of the SECP’s online services.
Punjab led the tally with 7,476 new companies, followed by the Islamabad Capital Territory with 3,230, Sindh with 2,197, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa with 1,320, Gilgit-Baltistan with 337, and Balochistan with 242.
The information technology and e-commerce sectors dominated registrations with 2,999 new companies, followed by trading (1,954), services (1,807), and real estate development and construction (1,393). Other active sectors included tourism and transport (1,042), education (787), food and beverages (751), and mining and quarrying (346).
Foreign investment activity also remained robust, with 332 newly registered companies attracting capital from investors in countries including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Malaysia, Germany, and South Africa.
During the same period, the SECP issued 94 new licences across various regulatory areas. These included eight for capital markets, 15 for non-banking financial companies, 25 for securities market entities and consultants, four for insurance surveyors, and 42 for not-for-profit associations.
To further promote business formalisation, the SECP has launched a nationwide awareness campaign highlighting the benefits of incorporation—such as limited liability, improved credibility, structured governance, and better access to finance. The commission reaffirmed its commitment to enhancing digital systems, simplifying regulations, and promoting entrepreneurship to support Pakistan’s sustainable economic growth.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
