SECP marks 39,704 companies inactive after four years of non-filing

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) marked 39,704 companies “Inactive by Registrar” on Saturday, 31 October, after they failed to file annual returns and/or financial statements for four years.

The inactive status will be visible in the SECP’s system to banks and other stakeholders. Until overdue documents are submitted and active status is restored, affected companies are barred from opening bank accounts, obtaining financial services or registering director changes.

Under the Companies Act, 2017, companies are required to file annual returns and, where applicable, financial statements. The SECP said these filings keep public information on ownership and management up to date, while prolonged non-filing can hinder efforts to prevent money laundering and terrorist financing.

The SECP registered 43,559 new companies in the previous financial year, 24% more than in the preceding year; 99.9% of new companies were registered online. By the end of September 2026, Pakistan’s registered-company total stood at 317,002.