The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved a set of regulatory reforms aimed at strengthening Pakistan’s performance under the World Bank Group’s Business Ready (B READY) assessment. The reforms are intended to address remaining gaps in the country’s business framework and bring regulatory practices closer to leading international standards. The initiative comes after Pakistan recorded a strong performance in the Business Entry category of the B READY 2025 Report, placing the country among the higher-ranked economies assessed under the framework.
Pakistan ranked 17th among 101 economies in the Business Entry category of the B READY 2025 Report, securing a score of 86.64. The result reflects the progress made in the regulatory and institutional framework governing the entry of businesses into the formal economy. The latest reforms approved by SECP are aimed at building on this performance by addressing areas where further improvements are required and strengthening the overall environment for businesses operating in Pakistan.
The Business Ready framework evaluates the business environment across economies and considers how regulatory systems and related public services affect businesses. Within this framework, the Business Entry category is particularly relevant to the processes involved in establishing and formally registering businesses. Pakistan’s strong ranking in this area provides a foundation for further regulatory improvements, while the reforms approved by SECP are intended to close the remaining gaps identified under the assessment.
The Commission’s decision reflects an effort to improve the efficiency and effectiveness of Pakistan’s business regulatory framework. By reviewing existing requirements and introducing reforms aligned with international practices, SECP aims to strengthen the environment in which businesses can be established and operate. The measures are also expected to support greater consistency between Pakistan’s regulatory framework and standards applied in leading international business jurisdictions.
Pakistan’s 17th position among 101 economies in the Business Entry category demonstrates the progress already achieved, while the score of 86.64 provides a benchmark against which future improvements can be measured. The latest reforms are intended to build upon this position rather than treat the existing performance as an endpoint. Addressing regulatory gaps can help strengthen the country’s overall standing in future assessments and improve the experience of businesses dealing with regulatory processes.
The reforms also highlight the role of regulatory institutions in improving Pakistan’s business environment. SECP, as the regulator responsible for important areas of corporate and securities regulation, plays a central role in the processes that businesses encounter when entering and operating in the formal economy. Strengthening these processes can contribute to a more efficient regulatory structure while supporting Pakistan’s broader efforts to improve its standing in international assessments.
The World Bank Group’s Business Ready assessment provides an international reference point for evaluating business environments across economies. Pakistan’s performance in the 2025 assessment gives the country a strong base in the Business Entry category, but SECP’s latest decision indicates that further work is being undertaken to address outstanding areas. The focus on closing gaps and aligning the framework with leading international practices is intended to support continued improvement in future assessments.
The reforms approved by SECP therefore represent another step in the ongoing development of Pakistan’s business regulatory framework. With a Business Entry ranking of 17th out of 101 economies and a score of 86.64 in the B READY 2025 Report, Pakistan has already demonstrated significant progress in this area. The newly approved measures are aimed at strengthening that position, addressing remaining regulatory gaps and bringing the country’s business framework closer to international practices.
Follow the PakBanker Whatsapp Channel for updates across Pakistan’s banking ecosystem.