The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved a series of regulatory reforms aimed at improving Pakistan’s performance in the World Bank Group’s Business Ready (B-READY) assessment. The measures focus on strengthening the country’s business regulatory framework, improving access to information and expanding digital coordination between government institutions.
The reforms are intended to address remaining gaps following Pakistan’s strong performance in the Business Entry category of the B-READY 2025 Report. Pakistan ranked 17th among 101 economies in the category with a score of 86.64. SECP said the newly approved measures are designed to bring Pakistan’s business framework closer to leading international practices and support further improvements in future B-READY assessments.
One of the key measures involves expanding automated sharing of updated company information between SECP and the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The information will be shared through application programming interfaces (APIs), allowing relevant company data to be transferred more efficiently between the two institutions. The initiative will be implemented in coordination with the Board of Investment.
The automated data-sharing mechanism is expected to streamline regulatory compliance for businesses by improving the flow of company information between government institutions. It is also intended to reduce duplication in regulatory processes and make interactions with government agencies more efficient. Greater digital coordination between institutions forms an important part of the reforms approved by the regulator.
SECP has also approved measures to make regulatory information related to environmental approvals and operating permits easier for businesses to access. Once the relevant authorities compile the required information, it will be made available through the SECP website. This will provide businesses with a centralised point of reference for understanding applicable regulatory requirements and obtaining information related to permits and approvals.
Another area covered by the reforms is access to information about publicly funded programmes designed to support small and medium enterprises (SMEs) and women entrepreneurs. SECP plans to make information about these programmes available through its digital platforms. The measure is aimed at increasing awareness of government support initiatives and making it easier for eligible businesses and entrepreneurs to identify available assistance.
The regulator will also begin publishing gender-related statistics concerning newly incorporated companies. The data will provide information about the participation of women in newly registered businesses, including women serving as shareholders, directors and chief executive officers. The dataset will also include women identified as ultimate beneficial owners.
The inclusion of gender-related company data is intended to provide greater visibility into women’s participation in business ownership and leadership. By making this information available, SECP will contribute to a clearer understanding of gender representation among newly incorporated companies and support the availability of relevant business data.
SECP said the reforms specifically target areas where Pakistan has an opportunity to secure additional points under the World Bank’s B-READY framework. The regulator expects the measures to strengthen the country’s business environment and contribute to improved performance in future assessments.
The reforms combine digital data sharing, centralised regulatory information, greater visibility of public support programmes and improved business-related data. Through these measures, SECP is seeking to strengthen regulatory processes while making essential information more accessible to businesses and entrepreneurs. The initiatives also reflect efforts to improve Pakistan’s standing in international assessments of the business environment.
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