Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb reaffirmed the government’s commitment to advancing regulatory reforms aimed at attracting investment, strengthening capital markets and improving the business climate during a high-level review meeting at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
Aurangzeb visited the SECP headquarters today, where Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, along with commissioners and senior officials, briefed him on the regulator’s performance and key reform initiatives undertaken between January and June 30, 2026.
The meeting reviewed the SECP’s efforts to promote investment, deepen capital markets, strengthen corporate governance and improve the ease of doing business through digital transformation and regulatory reforms. Officials also outlined progress on legislative amendments, investor facilitation measures and enforcement actions.
During the briefing, officials said more than 18,000 new companies had been registered during the review period. They also highlighted progress in post-incorporation services, licensing and digital regulatory systems, alongside work on an artificial intelligence-based company registration platform, the conversion of regional SECP offices into Business Facilitation Centres, the development of a Central Ultimate Beneficial Ownership (UBO) Registry Portal and the digitization of shareholding records of unlisted companies.
The meeting also reviewed measures aimed at broadening investor participation and further developing Pakistan’s capital markets. Officials informed the finance minister that 10 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) had been approved during the reporting period, while several more were in the pipeline. Progress was also shared on simplifying investor onboarding, strengthening digital investment platforms, increasing investment limits under the Sahulat Account and Sehl Account, and enhancing coordination with financial institutions to encourage greater participation in the capital market.
The SECP also briefed the meeting on 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-led entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial inclusion through innovative digital financial products.
Speaking during the meeting, Aurangzeb welcomed the Commission’s progress and stressed the need to strike an effective balance between facilitating businesses and maintaining a strong regulatory framework. He said technological innovation should be complemented by comprehensive process re-engineering to simplify regulatory procedures, improve service delivery, enhance the ease of doing business and reduce the cost of doing business.
The finance minister also urged the Commission to institutionalize regular consultations with businesses, investors and other stakeholders to obtain practical feedback and ensure that future regulatory reforms remained responsive to market needs.
Commending the SECP’s enforcement and compliance efforts, Aurangzeb particularly appreciated action taken against state-owned enterprises over regulatory violations. He said regulatory standards should be enforced fairly and consistently across both public and private sector entities to strengthen corporate governance and reinforce market discipline.
Reaffirming the government’s support for the Commission’s reform agenda, Aurangzeb said the government would continue to back initiatives that promote investment, strengthen capital markets, facilitate business activity and contribute to the sustainable growth of Pakistan’s corporate and financial sectors.