The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has dismissed reports suggesting a large-scale withdrawal of foreign companies from Pakistan.

The regulator clarified that 1,157 foreign firms are currently registered, reflecting continued investor confidence.

In a statement, the SECP said statistics regarding the closure of foreign companies were being presented inaccurately in certain media reports.

The commission emphasized that the reported figure of 125 companies refers to the total number of foreign firms that have ceased operations since 1977 — not recent years.

Only 19 companies closed since 2022

According to the SECP, between 2022 and 2025, only 19 foreign companies closed their operations in Pakistan due to various reasons.

During the same period, 89 new foreign companies were registered in the country, indicating a net positive trend in foreign business presence.

The regulator stated that 1,157 foreign companies remain registered in Pakistan. It described this number as evidence of sustained confidence in the country’s investment climate.

The SECP further noted that foreign investment activity has continued across multiple sectors.

In January 2026 alone, 82 local companies received foreign investment, the commission said.

The investment originated from a wide range of countries, including China, the United States, Australia, Turkey, the United Kingdom, South Africa, Denmark, Germany, Malaysia, South Korea, and Spain.