Record 48% surge in stock market investors

July 09, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan’s stock market investor base grew by a record 48% during FY2025-26, the highest annual increase in the country’s capital market history, with 190,277 new investors joining the market, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The total number of stock market investors increased from 392,775 on July 1, 2025, to 583,052 as of June 30, 2026, surpassing the 583,000 marks.

The regulator said the growth shows increasing public confidence, improved market access and rising interest in investment opportunities.

According to the press release issued by the SECP, young people aged 18 to 30 accounted for 45% of new UIN registrations during January-June 2026, while investors aged 31 to 45 represented another 41% of new accounts.

Karachi accounted for 25% of new investor accounts, followed by Lahore with 16%, Islamabad and Rawalpindi with 13%, Faisalabad with 4%, and Multan with 3%, reflecting growing participation across major cities.

The SECP, in collaboration with the National Clearing Company of Pakistan (NCCPL), Central Depository Company (CDC), and Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), introduced several reforms to simplify account opening and promote financial inclusion.

The regulator said increasing the Sahulat Account limit from Rs1 million to Rs3m has made investing easier. It added that duplicate documentation requirements for investors opening accounts through banks, digital banks and Electronic Money Institutions (EMIs) have been removed, while IBAN-based verification has been introduced to simplify the process.

The SECP further said Minor Trading Accounts have been launched, enabling individuals below the age of 18 to invest through their guardians.

SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said connecting young people with the capital market remains the regulator’s top priority.

He added that a digital onboarding mobile application is being introduced to make investing simpler, faster and more accessible.

He said the capital market can play a vital role in economic growth by channeling public savings into productive investments, adding that the SECP is focused on simplifying access, strengthening investor confidence and encouraging more citizens, particularly young people, to participate in wealth creation and the country’s economic development.

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