Foreign companies leaving Pakistan? SECP rejects exit myth with fresh data

Foreign companies leaving Pakistan? SECP rejects exit myth with fresh data

SECP says foreign companies leaving Pakistan claim is misleading. File photo

February, 25 2026

(Web Desk): Foreign companies leaving Pakistan is a myth, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) says, revealing only 19 closures from 2022 to 2025 while 79 new firms registered.

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has rejected reports suggesting a massive foreign business exit from the country. It clarified that between 2022 and 2025, only 19 foreign companies closed operations.

In contrast, 79 new foreign companies were registered during the same period. This shows more companies entered Pakistan than those that left.

The widely quoted figure of “125 companies” exiting Pakistan has also been explained. According to SECP, this number is cumulative since 1977 and does not represent exits in the last three years.

In another positive sign, foreign investors invested in 82 local companies in just the past month. These investments came from countries including China, United States, United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Turkey, South Korea and Spain.

As of February 2026, a total of 1,157 foreign companies remain registered with SECP. This indicates a continued international presence in Pakistan’s corporate sector despite economic challenges.

Officials say the data presents a more balanced and factual picture, countering negative narratives circulating on social media and in some reports.

The numbers tell a different story than the rumors. Some companies did close, but many more opened. Investment is still coming in. The situation looks mixed, not one sided. Facts matter more than headlines.