Distinguished economist and former Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), Dr. Ishrat Husain, visited the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Head Office, where he met Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu to discuss economic reforms, regulatory modernisation and the growing role of digital transformation in Pakistan’s corporate and financial sectors.
During the meeting, Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu briefed Dr. Husain on the progress made by the SECP across its regulated sectors, including corporate entities, capital markets, insurance and non-banking financial companies (NBFCs). The discussion covered the regulator’s ongoing efforts to improve the business environment, strengthen market participation and introduce technology-driven measures aimed at making regulatory services more accessible to businesses, investors and the general public.
A key area of discussion was the SECP’s target of increasing the number of investors in Pakistan to 2.5 million. Chairman Sidhu highlighted the importance of simplified digital onboarding procedures and reducing the cost of doing business to encourage wider participation in the country’s financial and capital markets. The initiative is aimed at making investment opportunities more accessible to individuals who may face difficulties navigating traditional registration and investment procedures. By reducing entry barriers and improving access to financial services, the regulator intends to encourage greater participation from different segments of society.
Chairman Sidhu also outlined the progress achieved through the adoption of technology across the commission’s regulatory operations. Digital reforms have accelerated online company registration processes, reduced documentation requirements and removed several administrative barriers that previously made regulatory procedures more complicated for applicants. These developments are part of a broader effort to modernise the SECP’s service delivery system and reduce the time and effort required by businesses and individuals to access regulatory services.
The chairman explained that technology-driven compliance mechanisms are also helping improve the efficiency of regulatory processes while strengthening investor protection. Greater use of digital platforms has enabled the commission to make its services easier to access, allowing businesses and members of the public to complete several procedures through online channels. These changes are intended to support a more efficient regulatory environment while maintaining appropriate oversight across the sectors supervised by the commission.
The discussion also highlighted the importance of modern regulation in supporting private-sector development. Simplifying regulatory requirements, improving institutional efficiency and reducing unnecessary administrative procedures remain important considerations for creating an environment in which businesses can operate and expand. The SECP’s digital transformation efforts are expected to contribute to these objectives by making compliance processes more straightforward and improving the overall experience of companies dealing with the regulator.
Dr. Ishrat Husain appreciated the SECP’s initiatives and commended the measures introduced to facilitate the general public. He acknowledged the importance of reducing regulatory hurdles and improving the accessibility of institutional services, noting that a more efficient regulatory framework is essential for empowering the private sector. His remarks also underscored the need for continued reforms that can support business activity and encourage broader participation in formal economic channels.
The visit provided an opportunity to exchange views on Pakistan’s economic reform priorities, the modernisation of regulatory institutions and the role of digital technology in strengthening the corporate environment. The SECP’s investor expansion target, supported by simplified onboarding and technology-enabled services, reflects the regulator’s focus on improving market accessibility and encouraging greater public participation in investment activities.
As Pakistan continues to pursue improvements in its corporate and financial infrastructure, regulatory digitalisation and a lower cost of compliance remain important areas for institutional development. The SECP’s efforts across company registration, capital markets, insurance and NBFCs are intended to create a more accessible and efficient regulatory framework while supporting investor confidence and private-sector growth.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.