The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) achieved a landmark milestone in May 2025 by registering a record-breaking 3,609 new companies, marking the highest number of incorporations in a single month. This surpasses the previous record of 3,442 companies registered in January 2025, signaling the rising momentum in Pakistan’s corporate and entrepreneurial ecosystem.
The new incorporations brought over Rs2.7 billion in capital into the economy during the month. Almost all the registrations—approximately 99.9%—were processed through SECP’s digital platforms, showcasing the effectiveness of the commission’s digital transformation efforts. These reforms aim to simplify company formation, promote ease of doing business, and boost the country’s startup and enterprise culture.
With this surge, the total number of registered companies in Pakistan has now exceeded 255,000. The figures reflect a broadening corporate base and growing investor confidence in Pakistan’s regulatory environment and business climate.
A significant portion of these new entities were Private Limited Companies, making up 59% of the total, while 37% were registered as single-member companies. The remaining 4% consisted of public unlisted companies, not-for-profit organizations, guarantee-limited companies, and limited liability partnerships (LLPs), indicating a diverse array of business structures entering the market.
Sectoral data highlights the Information Technology (IT) and e-commerce sectors as leading the charge with 718 new incorporations. The trading sector followed closely with 506 new entities, while the services sector contributed 447. Other areas that saw strong registration figures include real estate development and construction (342), tourism and transport (237), food and beverages (187), and education (160).
Additional registrations were recorded in sectors such as mining and quarrying (89), pharmaceuticals (78), textiles (74), marketing and advertisement (72), cosmetics and toiletries (67), engineering (62), and healthcare (51). A further 519 companies were incorporated across other segments including chemicals, transport, corporate agricultural farming, fuel and energy, Section 42 organizations, auto and allied industries, power generation, and sports-related businesses.
In addition to company registrations, SECP issued 56 licenses during May 2025 to support market development and regulatory compliance. These included three licenses in the capital markets domain, one in insurance, three in non-banking financial services, and 49 licenses to NGOs under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017. These figures underscore SECP’s active role in ensuring financial inclusion and regulated market expansion.
Foreign investment activity remained notable, with 98 newly registered companies receiving foreign capital. This continuous inflow of international investment affirms Pakistan’s growing appeal to global investors seeking to tap into emerging markets with improved digital infrastructure and a supportive regulatory framework.
The SECP’s milestone in May 2025 represents more than just a statistical achievement—it reflects a maturing ecosystem driven by digitalization, sectoral diversification, and policy stability. With such strong momentum, Pakistan’s corporate sector appears well-positioned to scale new heights in the months ahead.