Pakistan Attracts 220 Foreign Firms in Q1 2026 Amid Strong Corporate Growth

Pakistan’s corporate sector recorded steady foreign participation and strong domestic expansion in the first quarter of 2026, with 220 companies having foreign shareholders and a total paid-up capital of Rs. 657 million, according to data released by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

This figure shows a slight increase compared to Rs. 642 million recorded in the same period last year, reflecting stable foreign investor confidence in the country’s business environment.

The SECP report highlights broad-based growth across key sectors including trading, services, information technology, construction, and mining. Officials attribute this momentum to ongoing digitalisation, improved regulatory processes, and better engagement with stakeholders.

During January to March 2026, Pakistan registered a total of 10,318 new companies, marking a 12.5% year-on-year increase. Private companies accounted for 58.6% of total registrations, while single-member companies made up 37.9%, indicating continued growth in the SME sector.

Regionally, Punjab led incorporations with a 50.2% share, followed by Islamabad (19%) and Sindh (15.5%), which also posted a strong 23% growth. Gilgit-Baltistan emerged as the fastest-growing region with an impressive 97.8% rise in new registrations.

Sector-wise, IT and e-commerce remained the dominant category, contributing 2,065 new companies around 20% of total registrations followed by trading (16.4%) and services (12.5%). The trading sector saw the highest growth at 41.1%, while communications and healthcare also expanded significantly.

On the regulatory side, the SECP processed 95,823 corporate filings during the quarter, a 27% increase year-on-year. Post-incorporation filings rose by 33%, indicating improved compliance and a maturing corporate ecosystem.

The Secured Transactions Registry (STR) also remained active, with over 6,000 financing statements filed and more than 5,000 searches conducted, reflecting increased financial and lending activity in the corporate sector.

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