The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has raised the investment limit for Sahulat Accounts from PKR 1 million to PKR 3 million, aligning it with limits in the banking sector. This move aims to make stock market participation easier and more accessible for small retail investors.
Investors can now open Sahulat Accounts with multiple licensed securities brokers, offering greater flexibility in choosing brokerage services. However, each investor may maintain only one Sahulat Account per broker. The reform brings the framework in line with practices in the banking and mutual fund sectors.
Introduced to simplify market participation, the Sahulat Account allows individuals to open brokerage accounts with just their Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC), significantly reducing documentation requirements.
The facility is ideal for low-risk retail investors and first-time participants who may have been discouraged by complex account-opening procedures. All licensed securities brokers now offer Sahulat Accounts, which can also be opened online, providing convenience to investors nationwide. Brokers apply simplified due diligence measures for individuals classified as low risk through their risk assessment process.
Currently, the market has 542,748 individual sub-accounts, including 144,634 Investor Accounts (Individual), which also cover Roshan Digital Account (RDA) investors.
The SECP plans to continue introducing reforms to simplify investment processes, encouraging young investors to engage confidently with Pakistan’s formal capital market instead of unregulated foreign platforms.
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