SECP registers 5,003 new companies in October

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan registered 5,003 companies in October, taking the national tally to 321,794, Mettis Global reported. Almost all new entities completed registration online, with private limited firms accounting for 55.4% and single-member companies representing 41.6%.

Punjab led provincial registrations with 2,663, followed by Islamabad at 934 and Sindh at 751. Information Technology topped the sector list with 991 new firms, ahead of Trading at 767 and Services at 594; the SECP also reported 173 foreign investors as directors and 13% women's participation in shareholding and directorship. SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the agency is digitizing compliance to ease business processes, and described company formation as a source of potential employment.