ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s capital market achieved a historic milestone during Financial Year 2025-26, as stock market investor accounts increased by 48%, the highest-ever annual growth recorded in the country’s capital market.
The number of stock market investors increased from 392,775 on July 1, 2025, to 583,052 as of June 30, 2026, with the addition of 190,277 new investors. The growth reflects increasing public confidence, improved market access and rising interest in investment opportunities.
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), in collaboration with Capital Market Infrastructure Institutions (CMIIs) including the National Clearing Company of Pakistan (NCCPL), Central Depository Company (CDC) and Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), introduced several reforms to make account opening easier and promote financial inclusion.
Key reforms include increasing the Sahulat Account limit from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 3 million, removing duplicate requirements for investors opening accounts through banks, digital banks and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs), introducing IBAN-based verification, and launching Minor Trading Accounts that enable individuals below 18 years of age to invest through their guardians.
During the year, Karachi recorded the highest share of new investor accounts at 25%, followed by Lahore (16%), Islamabad and Rawalpindi (13%), Faisalabad (4%) and Multan (3%), showing increasing participation from major cities across Pakistan.
Young investors played a significant role in this growth, with 45% of new UINs registered by individuals aged 18 to 30 years during January–June 2026. Investors aged 31 to 45 years contributed another 41% of new accounts, highlighting growing participation of young and working-age investors in the capital market.
SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said that increasing retail participation, particularly among young investors, is a key priority for SECP.
He said the Commission, together with market institutions, is introducing technology-driven solutions, including a mobile application for digital onboarding, to make investing simpler, faster and more accessible.
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“Pakistan’s capital market can play an important role in economic growth by channeling savings into productive investments. Our focus is to simplify access, strengthen investor confidence and encourage more citizens, especially youth, to participate in wealth creation and the country’s economic development,” Dr. Sidhu said.
