ISLAMABAD: The digital and administrative reforms introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) have led to a significant increase in company registrations while improving transparency and ease of doing business across the country, the commission said here.
In a statement, the SECP said that 35,087 new companies were registered during fiscal year 2024–25, compared to 27,542 companies registered in the previous year. During the current fiscal year, from July to December 2025, a total of 21,542 companies were registered.
It said, the reforms had simplified the process of starting a business, reduced compliance-related costs and strengthened investor confidence. As a result, company registrations increased by 51 percent compared to 2020.
According to the statement, 99.9 percent of company registrations were completed entirely through the online system, reflecting the success of the digitalization drive. The core focus of the reforms, the SECP said, is the complete digitalization of the company registration process through its eZfile system.
The SECP said that the eZfile system is integrated with various institutions, including the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) and provincial departments.
Following integration with the government’s One Window system, the registration certificate is issued automatically, eliminating the need for visits to multiple offices and resulting in significant savings in time and cost.
The Commission said that its reform initiatives had also received international recognition. It noted that Pakistan was ranked sixth among 50 countries on the business start-up indicator in the World Bank’s Business Ready 2024 report, while an IFC survey ranked the SECP first among 65 federal regulatory authorities for government-to-business digital services and IT preparedness.
The statement further said that to strengthen transparency and corporate governance, companies had been required to ensure financial reporting and detailed disclosures in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards. It added that the anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing framework had been strengthened, a Corporate Ultimate Beneficial Owner Registry established, and a risk-based supervisory system aligned with FATF standards introduced.
The statement said that on the occasion of the launch of national regulatory reforms, Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif declared the SECP a “Reforms Champion” and appreciated the Commission’s role in improving the business environment.
The Commission reaffirmed that it would continue the reform process through a modern, technology-based regulatory system to promote ease of doing business, transparency and sustainable economic growth.
