secp – BOL News Staging

SECP teams up with NTC to strengthen Cybersecurity of Financial data

October 7, 2025October 6, 2025 by Sana Fatima

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the National Telecommunication Corporation (NTC) have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to boost cooperation in cybersecurity and information sharing. The agreement aims to strengthen both organizations’ protection against rising digital threats and improve Pakistan’s overall cyber resilience. The signing ceremony was held at NTC Headquarters … Read more

Pakistan sees highest company registrations in July 2025

August 6, 2025 by Sana Fatima

ISLAMABAD – Pakistan’s business scene just hit a big milestone. In July 2025, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered 4,065 new companies, the highest number ever recorded in a single month. This even broke the previous record set just two months ago in May. Most of these companies were registered online, showing … Read more

Pakistan’s Aviation industry set to expand with new Airline “Air Karachi”, request for License

February 17, 2025 by Sana Fatima

KARACHI: The private airline ‘Air Karachi’ has applied to the Pakistan Civil Aviation Authority (PCAA) for a Regular Public Transport (RPT) license to begin operations in various cities across the country. Sources within the PCAA said the authority will issue the RPT license to Air Karachi after receiving approval from the federal government. Upon receiving … Read more

SECP issues warning on scam real estate schemes

February 8, 2025 by Rao Abdullah

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has raised concerns over a rising number of complaints from individuals, particularly senior citizens, who have lost their savings to deceptive real estate investment schemes. According to the SECP, these schemes typically lure investors by promising high returns on deposits, often misusing company registration and tax … Read more

Finance Minister Aurangzeb launches ESG Sustain portal

December 6, 2024December 6, 2024 by Abid Khan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, officially launched ESG Sustain, a centralized online sustainability portal developed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in collaboration with UN Women Pakistan in Islamabad.

The launch of ESG Sustain marks a significant milestone under SECP’s ESG Roadmap aimed towards advancing sustainable practices across regulated sectors.

The portal provides companies with a robust tool to report climate-related data, disclose sustainability progress and share gender-disaggregated statistics, while also hosting a dedicated Knowledge Hub with resources from professional bodies and market leaders to support capacity building, said a press release issued here.

With over 40 companies already on boarded for contributing data, ESG Sustain is set to play a pivotal role in fostering data-driven decision-making, attracting sustainability-linked investments and paving the way for an ESG Index in future.

Addressing the participants, the Finance Minister commended SECP on launching ESG Sustain.

He highlighted that “Portal’s emphasis on inclusivity and gender reforms aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s vision for inclusive growth”.

Noting the global shift towards climate resilience and climate finance, he stressed the importance of leveraging resources through collaboration and scaling up efforts digitally, with ESG Sustain serving as a catalyst for these initiatives.

ESG Sustain reflects the government’s vision of enabling the private sector to drive economic growth while it concentrates on creating a supportive policy framework.

Ms. Vipunjit Ketunuti, Deputy Country Representative for UN Women, commended the launch of ESG Sustain for its potentially pivotal role in promoting sustainable development, “It is truly inspiring to see an increasing number of companies in Pakistan recognizing the critical importance of embedding ESG principles into their core business strategies for long-term success. ESG Sustain will go a long way in facilitating the process. I am particularly proud that the SECP has recommended the UN Women Empowerment Principles as among the globally recognized frameworks for sustainability reporting. This is a significant step toward enabling companies to particularly advance gender equality and empower women within their operations.”

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FM reiterates importance of inclusive growth, data sharing

December 5, 2024 by Abid Khan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb reemphasized the need for inclusive growth, highlighting the importance of bringing everyone into the mainstream to contribute constructively to the economy.

Speaking at the launch of ‘ESG Sustain Pakistan’s premier Sustainability centric online platform’, the minister praised the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for its efforts in promoting digitization and data sharing.

He noted that digital channels and avenues are the way forward, enabling the scaling up of initiatives and promoting a culture of transparency and accountability.

The minister said the ESG platform was aimed at encouraging companies and institutions to share their success stories and best practices.

This initiative is expected to serve as an equalizer, allowing all institutions, regardless of size, to showcase their achievements and learn from each other.

Aurangzeb reiterated the importance of private sector leadership in driving Pakistan’s growth, with the government providing a policy framework and enabling environment.

He emphasized that the government has no business being in business, citing the significant losses of around Rs6 trillion incurred by state-owned enterprises (SOEs) over the past decade.

The minister also highlighted the need to address Pakistan’s two existential problems including population growth and climate change.

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SECP Registers “Air Karachi” as Pakistan’s New Airline

November 27, 2024 by Rao Abdullah

The business community of southern port city of Karachi has announced the launch of a new airline in Pakistan. According to sources, the upcoming airlines’ name “Air Karachi” has been registered with SECP. The new airline is expected to obtain its license in the coming days. KARACHI: In response to growing dissatisfaction with the national … Read more

Reforms must be make EFF last IMF programme: Finance Minister

August 1, 2024 by Abid Khan

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb here reiterated the need for structural reforms to ensure the Extended Fund Facility (EFF) with International Monetary Fund (IMF) is the country’s last programme, highlighting the importance of privatization, export-led growth, and foreign direct investment to sustainable macroeconomic stability.

Addressing the Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Head Office Building of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the minister said, the Staff Level Agreement (SLA) has been signed with IMF and it would go to fund’s board for final approval.

“So under the fund umbrella, it is not only getting the fund but making sure that this time we do the structural reforms,” he remarked.

“If we have to make it last programme of the fund then whether it is on taxation side, energy side, or SOE reforms and the privatization side, we have to move forward because we do not have the space and room any more to dither on this agenda.” the minister remarked.

He said upgrade in Pakistan’s rating by Fitch, an international credit rating agency, and the policy rate reduction by State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) were direct manifestations of macroeconomic stability that the government has been following under the leadership of Shehbaz Sharif.

He said, the economic team would continue to move forward with this agenda. However, he added there was need to bring permanence into it. “Stabilization would lead to growth, so we have to bring permanence,” he said.

Talking about the role of private sector, the minister said, it has been decided in the cabinet committee on State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) that all insurance companies under the public sector will be handed over the private sector.

He said, there was no reason whatsoever the government holds on to those entities or their functions. Even the strategic functions would be done by private sector he said adding the government would be there to provide policy framework and policy continuity.

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SECP organizes workshop on capital markets

January 2, 2024 by Muhammad Zubair

ISLAMABAD, January 2: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) held a capacity building workshop for journalists at its head office, focusing on equity trading at the Pakistan Stock Exchange, trading activity surveillance, and systemic risk. The event aimed to raise public awareness and understanding of capital markets. The SECP team explained that the … Read more

SECP publishes its annual report for FY 2022–23

December 7, 2023December 6, 2023 by Muhammad Sher

ISLAMABAD, December 5: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has released its annual report for fiscal year 2022-23, which details its accomplishments and financial accounts. Chairman, Akif Saeed expressed satisfaction with the SECP’s focus on fostering capital formation, simplifying procedures, robust enforcement and facilitative measures aimed at ease of doing business in Pakistan. … Read more

SECP establishes Islamic finance research and development centre in partnership with AAOIFI

December 5, 2023 by Hamza Sheikh

Islamabad, December 05: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and Accounting and Auditing Organization for Islamic Financial Institutions (AAOIFI) have joined hands to establish a Joint Research and Development Centre (JRDC) to foster growth in Islamic finance. In this regard, Mr. Mujtaba Ahmad Lodhi, Commissioner (SECP) signed an MoU with H.E. Sh. Ebrahim … Read more

Finance Minister backs SECP’s initiative to bring investment

October 1, 2023September 30, 2023 by Kumail Soomro

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Finance, Revenue, and Economic Affairs Dr Shamshad Akhtar extended her unwavering support to Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) initiative aimed at establishing financial institutions backed by private funds to serve as a catalyst for economic revival. Dr Shamshad Akhtar asked the fiscal and regulatory side including the Federal Board … Read more

SECP imposes pricing caps on digital personal loans

September 26, 2023 by Muhammad Zahid

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) imposed pricing caps on digital personal loans by mobile applications. In a significant move towards promoting responsible lending and consumer safety, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued an all-encompassing set of requirements for Non-Banking Financial Companies (NBFCs) offering digital personal loans via mobile … Read more

Pakistani government loses millions in tax revenue due to non-compliance

September 12, 2023 by Muhammad Zubair

Only 50,000 out of 100,000 registered companies in Pakistan are filing taxes. SECP and FBR are urged to collaborate to improve tax compliance. Virtual One Stop Shop (VOSS) simplifies registration but data sharing needs a boost. In Pakistan, only half of the 100,000 companies registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) are … Read more

SECP takes action against illegal digital lending apps

July 20, 2023 by Syed Shahbaz Hyder

SECP reiterates efforts to regulate digital lending apps amid recent outcries. SECP emphasizes its commitment to developing capital and financial markets through policy updates. SECP implements specific requirements for NBFCs in digital lending to protect borrowers’ interests. Following the recent outcry against digital lending apps, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has reiterated its … Read more

SECP warns public to avoid unauthorized lending apps

February 14, 2023 by Muhammad Zubair

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has warned the public of falling prey to the unauthorised lending apps, ‘MoneyBox’ and ‘MoneyClub’, a statement said on Tuesday. The commission observed that the apps are using the names of licensed Non-Banking Finance Companies (NBFCs) to gain public confidence in offering lending services without any … Read more

SECP for effective implementation of Motor Third Party Liability Insurance

January 31, 2023 by Muhammad Ali Shan

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has formed a working group to explore the possibilities and mechanism for effective implementation of “Motor Third Party Liability (TPL) Insurance” in the country, a statement said on Tuesday. The group, comprises industry experts, representatives of the Insurance Association of Pakistan (IAP) and the SECP officials, … Read more

SECP, UN Women jointly hold ESG symposium

January 25, 2023 by Shaista Zafar

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in collaboration with the UN Women held environmental, social and governance (ESG) symposium, a statement said. The conference was held on Tuesday, January 24, 2023, to keep the momentum of discussion on ESG practices and facilitate sustainable investment. It was a full-day event, attracting dynamic representation … Read more

SECP holds session on digitalisation processes at PHMA

January 16, 2023 by Hamza Ali

KARACHI: The Pakistan Hosiery Manufacturers and Exporters Association (PHMA) in collaboration with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has organised an awareness and informative session on “Corporate Compliances and Digitalisation of SECP Processes” at the PHMA House, Karachi, a statement said. A large number of textile exporters, especially the registered companies participated in … Read more

SECP registers 2,374 new companies in December 2022

January 12, 2023 by Shehroze Aqueeque

The total number of registered companies now stands at 183,744. Total capitalisation (paid-up-capital) of these companies for the current month stands at Rs4.1 billion. 85 new companies have foreign investors from Afghanistan, Austria, Australia, Bangladesh and China. ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has registered 2,374 new companies in December 2022, … Read more

SECP issues consolidated circular for Modaraba Sector

January 2, 2023 by Shehroze Aqueeque

SECP has consolidated all statutory and regulatory requirements in one Circular. The consolidated circular SRO 2310 contains all prior circulars and notifications. A comprehensive exercise has been done to review all previously issued circulars. KARACHI: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has consolidated all statutory and regulatory requirements in one Circular, to improve … Read more

SECP register 2,380 new companies in November

December 13, 2022 by Shaista Zafar

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has registered 2,380 new companies in November, 2022, an increase of 10 per cent compared with the corresponding month of last year. The total capitalisation, paid-up-capital of the newly incorporated companies is Rs1.9 billion. With the registration of these new companies, the total number of registered … Read more

SECP facilitates digital onboarding of investors

September 29, 2022 by Muhammad Sohaib Firdous

SECP has allowed AMCs and PFMs to conduct investor identity verification.
The new regulation is part of SECP’s efforts to usher in a new era of smart investing.
Customers can now be seamlessly on-boarded through digital wallets and branchless banking operators.

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has allowed Asset Management Companies (AMCs) and Pension Fund Managers (PFMs) to conduct investor identity verification to facilitate seamless onboarding of investors, a statement said.

They may do so either on their own, or by obtaining identification documents from the onboarding platform through which a micro-saving customer is being on-boarded, it added.

This development will not only support AMCs and PFMs in smooth integration with potential branchless banking operators and Electronic Money Institutions (EMI), but will also assist in complying with applicable requirements of anti-money laundering/combating the financing of terrorism regulatory framework.

The new regulation is part of the SECP’s efforts to usher in a new era of smart investing and to ensure provision of seamless onboarding experience for mutual fund investors, on-boarded through branchless banking and EMI platforms to open Sehl Sarmayakari Accounts.

SECP introduced Sehl Sarmayakari Accounts to promote micro-savings culture where a customer can be seamlessly on-boarded through digital wallets and branchless banking operators without providing any additional information or document to the AMCs.

This reflects the SECP’s continued commitment to support digitalisation and providing a conductive investment climate for growth of non-bank financial sector and capital markets.

The SECP is of the view that as the industry transitions towards the digitalisation of financial services, digital onboarding will soon become the norm in the industry.

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PQAMCL announces approval of Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes

September 22, 2022 by Raba Noor

The Pak-Qatar Asset Management Company Limited (PQAMCL) has announced the approval for the launch of its Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes, a statement said.

After getting the approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for the launch of its mutual funds schemes, PQAMCL is going for the initial public offering (IPO) of its funds.

PQAMCL obtained its licence to operate as an asset management company and investment advisor in December, 2021.

PQAMCL Chief Executive Officer Farhan Shaukat said the management of the company is pleased to announce obtaining approval to offer a wide variety of Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes with a flavour of Takaful which is unique in the existing market.

“We are also the second company that is exclusively offering the Shariah-compliant collective investment schemes in Pakistan. We aim to encourage our customers to invest in our funds that are designed specifically for their investment needs. We are looking forward to providing the best investment solutions in the country to our customers,” he added.

The Company has obtained approval to launch three Shariah-compliant funds along with six plans catering needs of masses. PQAMCL, being a group company having strong takaful arms will augment Takaful benefits with its investment plans.

PQAMCL has a vision to “improve people’s lifestyles through the right investments with Riba-free returns”. It aims to offer its customers with the best-in-class technology advanced investment solutions, mutual funds, and investment advisory services.

The company is a part of the Pak-Qatar Group, which comprises of Pak-Qatar Family Takaful Limited (PQFTL), Pak-Qatar General Takaful Limited (PQGTL), and Pak-Qatar Investment Limited (PQIL).

The group has been operating in Pakistan since 2007 and has a rich and diverse experience of more than 15 years in providing protection and investment solutions through Takaful.

PQAMCL is registered with and supervised by, the SECP. Qualified Shariah scholars certify all products and operations for Shariah compliance.

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SECP recommended broadening scope of REITs assets in Pakistan

September 14, 2022 by Suhaib Ahmed

The SECP has recommended broadening the scope of REITs assets in Pakistan. The proposed regulatory changes aim to introduce new REIT products and make it easier for RMCs to launch various REIT schemes. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has recommended broadening the scope of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) assets in Pakistan, … Read more

PTA disables website hosting stolen SECP data

August 28, 2022 by Muhammad Zubair

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) was able to shut down an illegal website on Saturday. New safety measures have been put in place to ensure this doesn’t happen again. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Saturday was able to shut down an illegal website that stole company data from … Read more

SECP publishes report on Private Funds sector

August 3, 2022 by Raba Noor

ISLAMABAD: The total size of Private Equity and Venture Capital Funds registered a growth of 64 per cent to reach Rs10.99 billion as on June 30, compared with Rs6.69 billion on June 30, 2021, a report showed.

However, the number of Private Equity (PE) and Venture Capital (VC) funds remained the same at five.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has released a Diagnostic Review of Pakistan’s Private Funds (PF) Industry, providing a holistic synopsis and recommendations for key fiscal and regulatory reforms required for a vibrant PF industry that can spur economic activity, catalyse job creation and increase government revenues.

The SECP Chairman Aamir Khan said that considering more than 60 per cent of the population comprises youth in Pakistan and to encourage innovation and knowledge-based ideas into commercial production, the potential of PF industry requires to be tapped and fully explored.

The report provides an overall assessment of the country’s PF sector, which collectively refer to both PE and VC Funds and Alternative Funds.

To enable a vibrant and galvanised PF sector, the report also provides policy recommendations for a multifaceted reform agenda.

Apart from properly defining private funds in the tax laws and enabling all private fund categories to avail pass-through status and capital gains tax exemptions, the report provides some basic steps that can augment the investor pool and unify government initiatives for the sector.

The study answers pertinent questions enabling launch of private funds in the alternate legal structure of Limited Liability Partnership as compared to the long prevailing trust structure.

It also recommends a relook into the role of trustee and custodian, considering that these funds target only sophisticated investors and institutions.

The diagnostic review report is an outcome of extensive consultations with private fund management companies, key players of the start-up space and a diverse set of both public and private stakeholders.

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