SECP Removes Barriers to Opening Stock Market Accounts
ISLAMABAD The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a unified digital investor onboarding framework aimed at making entry into Pakistan’s capital market faster, simpler and more accessible by reducing repetitive verification, streamlining documentation and establishing clear timelines for opening investor accounts.
The new framework, issued through Circular No. 19 of 2026, particularly focuses on facilitating first-time investors and individuals seeking to open accounts through digital channels. Under the framework, Sehl/Sahulat Accounts will be processed within one working day, while Normal Accounts will be processed within two working days.
Applicants will also receive tracking IDs to monitor the status of their applications. In case of any deficiencies in the submitted information or documents, investors will be informed within the prescribed timeframe. Where an application is rejected, the reasons for rejection will have to be communicated to the applicant in writing, providing greater transparency and certainty in the onboarding process.
The initiative forms part of the SECP’s broader efforts to increase retail participation in Pakistan’s capital market, particularly among young Pakistanis, and expand the country’s investor base to 2.5 million.
“Our focus is to remove entry barriers and use technology to make the investor journey simpler, faster and more accessible,” said SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu. He said the objective was to unlock the significant untapped potential of Pakistan’s capital market by broadening participation, particularly among the youth, while building a deeper and more inclusive market.
The framework standardizes investor onboarding requirements across securities brokers, asset management companies, insurers and other regulated financial intermediaries, creating a more consistent experience for investors across the regulated financial sector.
A key feature of the new framework 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, the intermediary may rely on that verification instead of requiring the investor to undergo the same process again.
The framework also enables API-based straight-through processing and digital onboarding, including instant issuance of Unique Identification Numbers (UINs) and opening of CDC sub-accounts. These measures are expected to reduce paperwork, minimize manual intervention and improve efficiency in the overall investor onboarding process.
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