ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has rejected reports suggesting that foreign companies are leaving Pakistan in large numbers, terming such claims misleading and based on misinterpreted data.
Myth: “Foreign Companies Are Leaving Pakistan”
Recent narratives circulating in public discourse have claimed that a significant number of foreign firms have exited Pakistan, raising concerns about the country’s investment climate.
One frequently cited figure suggests that 125 foreign companies have left Pakistan in recent years.
Reality: Data Shows Continued Foreign Presence
According to SECP, between 2022 and 2025, only 19 foreign companies ceased operations in Pakistan. In contrast, 79 new foreign companies were registered during the same period, indicating continued business interest.
The regulator clarified that the widely quoted figure of “125 companies” represents cumulative cessations since 1977, not exits over the past three years.
Ongoing Foreign Investment Activity
SECP further revealed that foreign investment was recorded in 82 local companies in the past month alone. These investments originated from a diverse group of countries, including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Turkey, South Korea, and Spain, among others.
As of February 2026, a total of 1,157 foreign companies remain registered with SECP, reflecting a sustained international corporate presence in Pakistan.
