ECONOMIC DESK
ISLAMABAD: Over 14,800 new companies were registered in Pakistan between July and October this year, a development the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) says highlights growing investor trust in the country’s economic environment.
According to SECP data, a total of 14,802 new businesses were incorporated during the first four months of the current fiscal year (FY2025), bringing the overall number of registered companies in Pakistan to 272,918. The paid-up capital during this period stood at Rs20.59 billion (approximately $74 million).
Nearly all registrations — 99.9 percent — were completed online, underscoring the regulator’s ongoing shift toward digital facilitation. The SECP noted that this digital transformation has enabled entrepreneurs to start their businesses without physically visiting its offices.
Of the total new registrations, 59 percent were private limited companies, followed by 37 percent single-member firms. The remaining 4 percent included public unlisted firms, non-profit organizations, trade bodies, and limited liability partnerships.
While most registrations originated from major cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, nearly 30 percent came from around 250 smaller towns across the country — including Gwadar, Zhob, Turbat, Bannu, Kohat, Swat, Hunza, and Gilgit — reflecting the expanding reach of SECP’s online services.
A provincial breakdown showed Punjab leading with 7,476 new companies, followed by Islamabad (3,230), Sindh (2,197), Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (1,320), Gilgit-Baltistan (337), and Balochistan (242).
In terms of sectoral distribution, Information Technology and e-commerce topped the list with 2,999 incorporations, followed by trading (1,954), services (1,807), and real estate development and construction (1,393). Other active sectors included tourism and transport, education, food and beverages, mining, textiles, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, and healthcare.
The SECP also reported that 332 new companies received foreign investment from various jurisdictions during this period, indicating continued international interest in Pakistan’s corporate sector.
To further encourage formalization, the regulator announced plans for an awareness campaign to educate entrepreneurs about the benefits of incorporation — such as limited liability, tax efficiency, structured governance, and enhanced access to finance.
Reaffirming its commitment, the SECP said it would continue strengthening its digital infrastructure and simplifying regulatory frameworks to promote entrepreneurship, attract investments, and support sustainable economic growth in Pakistan.
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