SECP Appellate Bench Successfully Disposes of 100 Appeals in One Year, Paving the Way for Faster Justice
The Appellate Bench of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which serves as the apex quasi-judicial appellate forum in the country, has made significant progress in streamlining justice and reducing case backlogs. Between March 2024 and March 2025, the Bench successfully disposed of 100 appeals, marking an important milestone in its efforts to enhance the efficiency of Pakistan’s financial and regulatory sectors.
This accomplishment highlights the SECP Appellate Bench’s ongoing commitment to expediting the resolution of legal disputes and promoting judicial integrity. By tackling a range of diverse cases in a timely manner, the Bench has played an essential role in upholding the rule of law within Pakistan’s regulatory framework.
The milestone of 100 appeals resolved has made a noticeable impact on the reduction of pending cases, which has traditionally been a challenge for judicial systems worldwide. One of the significant aspects of this achievement is that all orders issued by the Appellate Bench are now made publicly available on the official SECP website, ensuring transparency and fostering trust in the legal process.
In terms of the types of cases handled by the Appellate Bench, a wide variety of legal matters were addressed during the year. Of the 100 appeals disposed of, 26 cases were related to the Insurance Ordinance, 2000, reflecting the Bench’s focus on the insurance sector and the legal challenges associated with it. Six cases dealt with the Securities Act, 2015, while 22 appeals were focused on matters concerning the Companies Ordinance, 1984, and the Companies Act, 2017, demonstrating the Bench’s role in resolving corporate governance and regulatory issues.
Furthermore, six cases involved violations of the Non-Banking Finance Companies Regulations, 2008, highlighting the importance of maintaining integrity within Pakistan’s non-banking financial sector. The remaining 40 cases addressed breaches of various provisions within the SECP’s Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism Regulations, 2018 and 2020. These cases reflect the SECP’s focus on combating financial crimes and maintaining the integrity of Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.
In addition to these 100 resolved appeals, the Appellate Bench also registered 92 new appeals during the same period, demonstrating a steady influx of legal matters requiring adjudication. Despite this, the Bench’s ability to process and resolve 100 cases within a year underscores its effectiveness in managing a complex and diverse docket.
A noteworthy achievement within this process is the Bench’s high success rate in upholding decisions. Out of the 100 appeals, 94 orders were upheld, while only six were set aside. This statistic highlights the judicial rigor and fairness with which the Appellate Bench approaches its work, ensuring that decisions are based on solid legal principles and that the rights of all parties are respected.
The efficiency and dedication of the SECP Appellate Bench and its Registry have helped accelerate the pace of justice, enhancing access for stakeholders involved in Pakistan’s financial and corporate sectors. By reducing the backlog of pending cases, the Appellate Bench has alleviated a long-standing issue, creating a more efficient and effective legal environment.
This progress signifies a broader effort by the SECP to improve Pakistan’s financial regulations and offer clearer, faster resolutions to matters that are vital to the stability of the economy. The SECP’s Appellate Bench remains a critical institution for maintaining trust in Pakistan’s financial markets and regulatory systems, and its success in resolving 100 appeals is a clear indicator of its continued commitment to judicial efficiency and fairness.
As Pakistan continues to evolve its financial regulatory landscape, the SECP Appellate Bench’s accomplishments will undoubtedly play a key role in reinforcing the country’s commitment to maintaining a transparent, efficient, and just legal system.