In a landmark achievement for Pakistan’s corporate sector, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registered a record-breaking 4,065 new companies in July 2025. This figure surpasses the previous high of 3,609 recorded in May 2025 and marks the highest number of incorporations in a single month in the country’s history.
According to the SECP, this surge in registrations highlights the growing confidence of entrepreneurs, investors, and small businesses in the regulatory environment and digital infrastructure of Pakistan. With 99.9 percent of the registrations completed online, the success of this digital-first approach continues to streamline incorporation procedures and reduce barriers to formalization.
With these additions, the total number of companies registered in Pakistan has now reached 262,309. The total paid-up capital for July was Rs. 4.96 million, indicating the increasing depth and scope of new business activity entering the formal economy.
In terms of composition, private limited companies accounted for the largest share of incorporations at 57 percent, while single-member companies followed closely at 39 percent. The remaining four percent consisted of public unlisted entities, not-for-profit organizations, companies limited by guarantee, and limited liability partnerships.
The Information Technology and e-commerce sectors led the momentum in July, contributing 862 new incorporations — a trend reflective of the country’s growing tilt toward digitization and tech entrepreneurship. These were followed by 530 companies in trading, 468 in services, and 398 in real estate development and construction. Other active segments included tourism and transport (295), food and beverages (203), education (148), marketing and advertising (98), mining and quarrying (95), textiles (91), pharmaceuticals (86), agricultural farming (74), engineering (64), cosmetics and toiletries (59), and chemicals and healthcare (56). Additionally, 482 companies were registered across various sectors such as energy, non-profit initiatives, auto and allied industries, power generation, and communications.
July also witnessed healthy foreign investor interest, with 96 companies receiving capital from international investors, representing a diverse range of jurisdictions. This points toward sustained confidence in Pakistan’s corporate governance framework and ease of doing business improvements.
Beyond incorporations, the SECP issued 60 licenses during the month, including five for capital markets, one for insurance, two to non-banking financial companies (NBFCs), and 52 licenses to not-for-profit associations. This expansion of licensed entities supports greater market participation and facilitates financial inclusion initiatives.
Following the recently held Registrars Conference, the SECP has announced a wide-reaching awareness campaign aimed at educating entrepreneurs and small business owners about the strategic benefits of incorporation. These include limited liability protection, distinct legal status, stronger brand credibility, scalability, perpetual succession, structured governance, tax advantages, and improved access to financing options.
With its continued investment in digital tools and regulatory streamlining, the SECP is playing a vital role in formalizing business activity, empowering entrepreneurs, and driving economic growth. The record figures in July underscore the growing appetite for formal entrepreneurship and Pakistan’s potential as a vibrant, regulated, and innovation-ready business environment.