KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a new digital reporting system to streamline the registration and monitoring of foreign shareholding in locally incorporated companies.
The central bank has introduced the Non-Resident Shareholding Registration System (NSRS), a digital platform designed to maintain records of non-resident shareholding and facilitate the repatriation of dividends and disinvestment proceeds.
According to the SBP, the new framework is intended to improve transparency, efficiency and regulatory oversight of foreign inward investment transactions processed through Authorized Dealers (ADs).
The reporting system includes four Data File Structures (DFS) covering bank designation, share issuance, dividend repatriation and disinvestment transactions.
Under the new instructions, Authorized Dealers will be required to submit monthly reports of all designation and share registration transactions carried out under FE Circular No. 2 of 2026. Banks must also report dividend and disinvestment transactions through the relevant DFS modules.
The SBP directed banks to submit required data through the Data Acquisition Portal (DAP) no later than the fifth working day of each following month. The first reporting cycle will cover transactions for July 2026, with submission due by the fifth working day of August 2026.Revenue generation strategies
The central bank also issued a phased timeline for reporting legacy data on dividend and disinvestment transactions.
Under Phase I, banks must submit records from January 1, 2021 to June 30, 2026 within four months of the circular’s issuance. Phase II covers January 1, 2016 to December 31, 2020, to be completed within six months. Phase III includes data from January 1, 2006 to December 31, 2015, to be submitted within one year.
After completion of Phase III, Authorized Dealers will be required to submit a compliance report within 15 days, signed by the Group Head Compliance, confirming that all submitted data is complete and accurate.
The SBP emphasized that senior compliance officials at each Authorized Dealer will be responsible for ensuring accurate reporting and adherence to deadlines.
Banks have also been instructed to circulate the guidelines to relevant departments and ensure strict compliance with the new reporting mechanism.
Officials said the system is part of broader efforts to modernize financial data infrastructure and strengthen oversight of foreign investment flows into Pakistan.
