ISLAMABAD, February 23, 2026: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has observed that certain media reports have inaccurately interpreted the data relating to ceased foreign companies available on its website.
These reports do not reflect the factual position, particularly with regard to the year of cessation.
The list published by the SECP clearly specifies the year of cessation against each company’s name, ensuring transparency and accuracy of information.
It is further clarified that only 19 foreign companies have ceased operations in Pakistan during 2022 to 2025, whereas 79 new foreign companies were registered during the same period (2022 – 2025).
It is pertinent to clarify that the list of 125 foreign companies referred in media is the total number of companies that ceased operations since 1977 to date. This list does not pertain to last three years alone.
Additionally, in the last month alone, foreign investment has been recorded in 82 local companies. These investments originated from multiple jurisdictions, including China, United States, Australia, Turkey, United Kingdom, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, and Spain.
As of February 2026, a total of 1,157 foreign companies remain registered with the SECP, reflecting sustained foreign business presence and continued confidence in Pakistan’s regulatory environment.
NEWSMAN adds : The SECP officials are visibly perturbed over tempering of figures of foreign companies’ exit from Pakistan by Business Recorder. Business Recorder had claimed in a recently published report that 125 foreign companies have filed their exit with SECP. The report , an official of SECP , argued seemed filed with certain special agenda to appease some section of Pakistan’s political arena. The official added that Business Recorder report has damaged the government efforts being made to woo much-needed foreign investment in Pakistan.