Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a unified digital investor onboarding framework aimed at making stock market investing easier, faster and more accessible. The new framework is designed to reduce repetitive verification requirements, simplify documentation and establish clear timelines for opening investor accounts across Pakistan’s regulated financial sector.
Under the new system, Sahulat accounts will be processed within one working day, while Normal Accounts will be processed within two working days. Investors will also receive tracking IDs that will allow them to monitor the status of their applications. Where an application contains deficiencies, investors will be informed within the prescribed timeframe, while reasons for any rejection will be communicated in writing.
The framework also introduces 24-hour digital onboarding and processing, allowing investors to begin and complete the account opening process through digital channels. A key part of the initiative is the elimination of repetitive customer verification. Where prescribed verification has already been completed by an eligible regulated financial institution or a notified third party, regulated intermediaries will be able to rely on the existing verification instead of requiring investors to complete the same process again.
The initiative has been issued through Circular No. 19 of 2026 and standardises investor onboarding requirements across securities brokers, asset management companies, insurers and other regulated intermediaries. By establishing a unified approach, SECP aims to create a more consistent process for investors interacting with different parts of Pakistan’s regulated financial sector.
The framework also supports application programming interface based straight through processing and digital onboarding. These capabilities include instant issuance of a Unique Identification Number, also known as UIN, and the opening of Central Depository Company sub accounts. The use of digital processing is expected to reduce paperwork and limit the need for manual intervention during the investor onboarding process.
The changes could make it easier for individuals to enter Pakistan’s capital market by reducing the time required to complete account opening and verification procedures. Previously, investors could face repeated documentation and verification requirements when interacting with different regulated financial institutions. Under the new framework, existing prescribed verification completed through eligible institutions or notified third parties can be used by intermediaries where permitted.
The introduction of application programming interface based connectivity and straight through processing also places greater emphasis on digital infrastructure within the investor journey. Automated processes can support faster handling of applications and reduce delays caused by manual processing. The availability of digital onboarding around the clock further allows potential investors to begin the process without being restricted to standard business hours.
SECP is seeking to expand Pakistan’s capital market investor base to 2.5 million. Increasing participation among young Pakistanis is also a key priority under the regulator’s broader objective of expanding access to investment opportunities and bringing more individuals into the regulated capital market.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the regulator’s focus was on removing barriers to entry and using technology to make the investor journey simpler, faster and more accessible. He said the objective was to unlock the significant untapped potential of Pakistan’s capital market by broadening participation, particularly among young people, while supporting the development of a deeper and more inclusive market.
The unified framework marks a further move toward digital processes across Pakistan’s regulated financial sector. With defined timelines for account opening, tracking IDs for applications, reduced repetitive verification and digital processing capabilities, the framework is intended to make the process of becoming a stock market investor more straightforward.
By standardising onboarding requirements across securities brokers, asset management companies, insurers and other regulated intermediaries, SECP is also seeking to create greater consistency for investors. The introduction of instant UIN issuance, Central Depository Company sub-account opening and application programming interface based straight through processing is expected to reduce paperwork and manual intervention.
The framework will support SECP’s efforts to increase the number of capital market investors while making greater use of digital systems across the regulated financial sector. The regulator aims to improve access to stock market investing by reducing entry barriers, simplifying investor onboarding and providing a faster and more transparent account opening process.
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