Pakistan stock market investor base grows 48% as 190,000 new investors join

Pakistan's stock market investor base grew 48% over the past year, with more than 190,000 new investors joining, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan said Wednesday.

The total investor count has now crossed 583,000. Young Pakistanis accounted for most of the new registrations, the regulator said.

How many new investors joined Pakistan's stock market?

More than 190,000 new investors joined Pakistan's stock market over the past year, a 48% increase in the total investor base. The SECP said this pushed the overall number of investors past 583,000. Regulators linked the growth to simplified account-opening rules and expanded digital access for retail investors.

Who is driving Pakistan's stock market investor growth?

Young Pakistanis accounted for the largest share of new market participants, according to the SECP. Investors between 18 and 30 years old made up 45% of new accounts, while those aged 31 to 45 represented another 41%. The regulator said this reflected rising participation by younger Pakistanis in the country's capital market.

Which cities added the most new stock market investors?

Karachi accounted for the largest share of new investor accounts, representing 25% of all new registrations, the SECP said. Lahore followed with 16% of new accounts. Islamabad and Rawalpindi together contributed another 13% of new investors.

What reforms helped boost Pakistan's investor base?

The SECP attributed the growth to a series of reforms designed to simplify investing. The investment limit for the Facilitation Account was raised from PKR 1 million to PKR 3 million, letting individuals invest larger amounts through a simplified structure. The regulator also streamlined account opening through banks and digital platforms, adding IBAN verification and minor trading accounts to improve convenience.

What is the SECP planning next?

SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said connecting young people with the capital market remains the regulator's top priority. The SECP is introducing a digital onboarding mobile application to make investing more accessible, he said. "The capital market can play a vital role in driving economic growth by channeling public savings into productive investment," Sidhu said, adding that the regulator's goal is to make investing simple, fast and accessible through continued digitalization.