Record 48% surge in stock market investors

July 09, 2026 (MLN): The number of stock market investors in Pakistan increased by a record 48% during the year, with more than 190,000 new investors joining the market, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).

The total number of stock market investors has surpassed 583,000, the regulator said.

According to the press release issued by SECP, young people aged 18 to 30 accounted for 45% of the new investors, while those aged 31 to 45 represented 41%.

Karachi led with 25% of new investor accounts, followed by Lahore with 16%, while Islamabad and Rawalpindi contributed 13% of the new investors.

The SECP said increasing the Sahulat Account limit from Rs1 million to Rs3m has made investing easier. It added that the account opening process has also been simplified through banks and digital platforms.

The regulator said measures such as IBAN verification and minor trading accounts have improved convenience for investors.

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

He added that a digital onboarding mobile app is being introduced to make investing easier.

He said the capital market can play a vital role in economic growth by transforming public savings into productive investments, adding that the SECP aims to make investing simple, fast, and accessible to every citizen.

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