Finance Minister reviews SECP performance, underscores regulatory reforms, ease of doing business

ISLAMABAD, (APP - UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 8th Jul, 2026) Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday chaired a high-level review meeting at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to assess the regulator's performance, emphasizing regulatory reforms and measures to further improve the ease of doing business.

Appreciating the Commission's progress, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb underscored the importance of maintaining an effective balance between facilitating businesses and ensuring a robust regulatory environment.

He emphasized that technological advancements should be accompanied by comprehensive process re-engineering to simplify regulatory procedures, enhance service delivery, and improve the overall ease of doing business while reducing cost of doing business.

The Finance Minister also encouraged the Commission to institutionalize regular engagement with businesses, investors, and other stakeholders through focused consultations to obtain practical feedback and ensure that regulatory reforms remain responsive to the needs of market participants.

Earlier, Chairman SECP, Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, along with the Commissioners and senior officers, gave a detailed presentation on the Commission's performance and key reform initiatives undertaken during the period from January 2026 to June 30, 2026.

The Finance Minister was briefed on SECP's initiatives to promote investment, strengthen capital markets, improve corporate governance, facilitate ease of doing business, and modernize the regulatory framework through digital transformation and process improvements.

Progress on legislative reforms, investor facilitation, and enforcement measures was also reviewed.

During the presentation, the meeting was informed that over 18,000 new companies had been registered during the review period, alongside significant progress in post-incorporation services, licensing, and digital regulatory processes.

<?php /*?> <?php */?>

The Commission also highlighted ongoing work on an artificial intelligence-based company registration system, transforming regional SECP offices into Business Facilitation Centres, development of a Central UBO Registry Portal, and digitization of shareholding records of unlisted companies.

Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb appreciated the Commission's enforcement and compliance efforts, particularly the action taken against state-owned enterprises for regulatory non-compliance.

He emphasized that regulatory standards be applied fairly and consistently across both public and private sector entities to strengthen corporate governance and reinforce market discipline.

The meeting also reviewed measures to deepen Pakistan's capital markets and broaden investor participation.

The Finance Minister was informed that 10 Initial Public Offerings (IPOs) had been approved during the review period, with a number of IPOs in the pipeline. Progress was also shared on simplifying investor onboarding, enhancing digital investment platforms, increasing the investment limit under the Sahulat Account and Sehl Account, and strengthening coordination with financial institutions to facilitate greater participation in the capital market.

The SECP further 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's entrepreneurship, and strengthen financial inclusion through innovative digital products.

The Finance Minister reaffirmed the Government's commitment to supporting reforms that promote investment, strengthen capital markets, facilitate business activity, and contribute to the sustainable development of Pakistan's corporate and financial sectors.