PSX Investor Base Approaches 600,000 as New Registrations Rise
Pakistan’s capital market has recorded significant growth in investor participation over the past year, with the total number of investors at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) exceeding 583,000, according to the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
The regulator reported that more than 190,000 new investors entered the stock market during the last 12 months, representing a 48% increase in the overall investor base.
According to SECP, younger individuals accounted for the majority of new registrations. Around 45% of newly registered investors were between 18 and 30 years of age, while 41% belonged to the 31–45 years age group, reflecting growing interest in capital markets among working-age Pakistanis.
Regional data showed that Karachi contributed 25% of new investor accounts, followed by Lahore with 16%. Islamabad and Rawalpindi together accounted for 13% of the new registrations.
SECP attributed the increase in participation to several initiatives designed to make investing more accessible. Among the key measures was the enhancement of the Sahulat Account investment limit from Rs. 1 million to Rs. 3 million, allowing more individuals to participate in the stock market with greater flexibility.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said encouraging greater public participation—particularly among young investors—remains one of the regulator’s key priorities. He also announced that a digital onboarding mobile application is expected to be introduced to further simplify the account opening and investment process.
According to the regulator, expanding participation in Pakistan’s capital markets can help channel household savings into productive investments, supporting long-term economic development while making financial markets more accessible to the public.
