The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has rejected reports claiming that foreign companies are pulling out of Pakistan, stating that the information has been wrongly presented.

According to official data, only 19 foreign companies ceased operations between 2022 and 2025, while 79 new foreign firms were registered during the same period, indicating a net increase in foreign company presence.

The SECP clarified that the figure of 125 company closures cited in some media reports refers to the cumulative number of foreign companies that have shut down since 1977, not in recent years. The regulator said this distinction is clearly visible on its official website, which lists the year of closure for each company.

Currently, 1,157 foreign companies are registered and operating in Pakistan. The data also reflects continued foreign investor engagement, with investment recorded in 82 Pakistani companies in January 2026 alone, originating from countries including China, the United States, the United Kingdom, Turkey, Australia, and Germany.

The SECP warned that inaccurate reporting of official data could undermine investor confidence and distort perceptions of Pakistan’s business environment.