SECP Debunks Myth of Foreign Companies Leaving Pakistan

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has debunked the myth that foreign companies are leaving Pakistan in large numbers. Officials clarified that only 19 foreign companies closed operations between 2022 and 2025. In contrast, 79 new foreign companies registered during the same period. Therefore, the data challenges claims of a mass corporate exit from the country.

According to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan, the widely quoted figure of 125 companies leaving Pakistan is misleading. That number reflects total cessations recorded since 1977, not just the past three years. As a result, recent reports created confusion by presenting long-term cumulative data as a current trend. The regulator stressed that the business environment still supports foreign participation.

Also Read: Interest Rate Cut and Global Tensions Hit Market

Moreover, foreign investment activity continues across multiple sectors. In the past month alone, investors placed funds in 82 local companies. These investments came from countries including China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Turkey, South Korea, and Spain. This broad participation signals sustained international interest in Pakistan’s corporate sector.

As of February 2026, 1,157 foreign companies remain registered with the SECP. This figure highlights a continued global presence in Pakistan’s economy. While some firms have exited, many others have entered or expanded operations. Ultimately, the SECP maintains that the narrative of foreign companies leaving Pakistan does not reflect current reality.