In a move aimed at cutting red tape and modernizing its regulatory framework, Pakistan has begun linking federal and provincial regulators to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan’s (SECP) eService Portal.
The initiative, formally launched at a signing ceremony organized by the Board of Investment (BOI) and the Prime Minister’s Office, marks another step in the government’s broader push for digital governance and investment-friendly reforms.
Multiple Regulators Onboard, More to Follow
Agreements were signed with several key organizations, including the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA), Pakistan Electronic Media Regulatory Authority (PEMRA), Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), the Power Information Technology Company (PITC), and the Punjab Revenue Authority (PRA).
In the next phase, Pakistan Revenue Automation Limited (PRAL) and the Sindh Revenue Board (SRB) are expected to be integrated.
Why It Matters
Federal Minister for Investment Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, who chaired the event, framed the initiative as part of Pakistan’s digital transformation agenda. He said linking regulators through one platform would not only improve transparency but also cut inefficiencies that currently deter investors.
“This kind of integration makes Pakistan more competitive,” he noted, stressing its importance in attracting both domestic and foreign investment.
Part of a Bigger Push: Pakistan Business Portal & BFCs
The SECP integration will feed into the Pakistan Business Portal, a World Bank-supported project that aims to simplify company registration and licensing procedures across the country.
Mahmood Tufail, Director General at BOI, explained that a recent IT readiness survey identified 16 agencies for integration. The project, he said, will be complemented by upcoming Business Facilitation Centers (BFCs)—one-stop hubs for investors seeking regulatory and administrative support.
Mixed Pace of Digital Adoption, But Growing Momentum
Representatives from participating bodies acknowledged Pakistan’s slow pace of digital adoption in the past but expressed optimism about the shift. PEMRA’s chairman called the SECP integration “timely,” while DRAP’s chief said it would curb fraud and reduce bureaucratic delays.
Utilities such as SNGPL and IESCO also highlighted their positive experience with digital systems, noting that integration with SECP could significantly speed up processes for industrial clients.
Regulatory Modernization in Motion
The effort falls under the Pakistan Regulatory Modernization Initiative (PRMI), a government-backed reform program designed to simplify regulations and improve investor confidence through digitization.
With more regulators set to join the SECP portal in the coming months, officials hope the system will gradually replace paper-heavy, fragmented procedures with a streamlined digital framework—something investors have long demanded.
