ISLAMABAD, August 4, 2026: In a significant move to deepen Pakistan’s capital markets and expand long-term financing options for businesses, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has constituted a high-level Working Group to undertake a comprehensive review of the regulatory framework of corporate debt market and recommend reforms an official statement said.
SECP has taken this initiative on guidance of Honorable Finance Minister as he highlighted the development of vibrant corporate debt market as a strategic priority. He further emphasized that Pakistan must move towards a more balanced financial system where corporations should have diversified sources of long-term financing while reducing reliance on conventional bank lending.
The Working Group, led by SECP Commissioner Ali Farid Khawaja, comprises representatives from the Ministry of Finance, SECP, capital market institutions, financial institutions, credit rating agency, legal experts, and other market participants. With broad-based representation, the Working Group will formulate practical recommendations focusing on three key areas: reducing the complexity of the issuance process, lowering issuance costs, and standardizing legal documentation to simplify debt issuances and reduce the time and cost involved.
The Group’s recommendations will form the basis for future regulatory and policy reforms to strengthen the corporate debt market, improve market efficiency, enhance businesses’ access to long-term capital.
Chairman SECP Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said, “Deepening the corporate debt market is a strategic priority. A stronger debt market will broaden long-term financing avenues for companies, attract institutional investment, and support infrastructure and industrial development.”
