What’s actually slowing this PC down?
Pick the symptom - the matching free tool is one click away.
Pakistan’s Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP) announced on March 9, 2026, that it had launched a digital registry for ultimate beneficial ownership (UBO). The regulator says companies must identify and verify the natural people who ultimately own or control them, disclose their details at incorporation, and update that information annually. SECP presents the registry as a tool for greater transparency and oversight—not as a publicly searchable database or a proven measure of enforcement outcomes.
What is SECP’s digital UBO registry?
The registry is a centralized record intended to make the natural persons who ultimately own or control companies more visible to regulators. SECP’s March 9, 2026, announcement says it launched the digital registry to strengthen corporate transparency. The launch announcement describes its purpose and broad obligations, but does not explain how users access or interact with it.
SECP had announced amendments to establish a centralized UBO registry in July 2025. Its March 2026 release describes the subsequent digital launch. The launch release states: “The registry has been introduced through amendments notified via S.R.O. 1355(I)/2025 under the Companies Regulations, 2024.”
What must companies disclose?
According to SECP’s launch announcement, companies are required to disclose information about their UBOs at incorporation and update that information annually. The release also says companies must identify and verify their UBOs. It places these duties under section 123A of the Companies Act, 2017, and amendments to the Companies Regulations, 2024.
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems#1 Best Overall
SECP’s announcement does not specify the information fields, filing forms, operational deadlines beyond annual updating, or exceptions. It also does not describe penalties for noncompliance or procedures for correcting records. Companies should consult the applicable law, regulations, and official SECP guidance for requirements beyond what the launch release states.
Why does SECP say the registry matters?
SECP says the registry is intended to strengthen transparency in the corporate sector, improve regulatory oversight, identify individuals who ultimately control corporate entities, and help curb the misuse of companies for unlawful activity. The regulator also frames the initiative as support for Pakistan’s anti-money-laundering and counter-terrorism-financing framework. These are stated aims; the launch announcement does not report measured results or demonstrate that the registry has already achieved them.
Rank #2
How does the registry relate to eZfile?
SECP described eZfile in February 2024 as its online portal for company registration and post-incorporation filings, replacing the earlier eServices system. The later UBO announcement identifies a digital registry, but does not explain whether it is a separate user-facing service or how it connects technically to eZfile. The two should not be assumed to be the same interface.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.What the launch announcement does not establish
The available SECP releases establish the registry’s launch, its stated legal framing and the high-level disclosure duties. They do not establish whether the public can search the registry, which information—if any—is public, or the practical filing and record-correction workflow. Those operational details should not be inferred from the announcement.
Recommended Free Tools
Quick Recap
Best Value
Rank #3
Sources
- SECP, “SECP Launches Digital UBO Registry to Strengthen Corporate Transparency,” March 9, 2026
- SECP, “SECP Establishes Centralized UBO Registry for Corporate Sector,” July 29, 2025
- SECP, “SECP all set to launch ‘eZfile’, a new corporate registry,” February 12, 2024
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
