News
SECP Registers 339 Construction and 193 Real Estate Companies in September
By Mariam Khan
Real Estate Analyst
3 min read
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) reported registering 5,241 new companies in September 2026. They included 339 construction companies, 193 real estate development companies and 222 tourism companies. Across all sectors, 1,009 companies were registered in Islamabad Capital Territory, and 167 foreign investors took part in new incorporations. The total number of registered companies in Pakistan reached 317,002. A registration shows that a company has been formed. It does not show that a project has been launched or that money has been committed.
Why Construction and Real Estate Registrations Stand Out
Construction and real estate development together account for 532 of the 5,241 new registrations (our own calculation). That is roughly one in ten new companies. Construction alone is about 6.5 percent of the month's total, and real estate development about 3.7 percent (our own calculations). The reports we have seen do not give the August figures or the September 2025 figures, so we cannot say whether these numbers are rising or falling.
Why Registrations Are Not the Same as Projects
Registering a company is a legal step. It does not show how much capital the company has, whether it holds land, or whether it has approvals from an authority such as the CDA or a provincial body. Some of the new companies may be set up to hold existing assets or for tax or structuring reasons. The reports do not say how many of the 532 intend to build or develop anything.
Why Islamabad's Share and Foreign Participation Matter
The 1,009 registrations in Islamabad Capital Territory are about 19 percent of the month's total (our own calculation), but they cover all sectors. The reports do not say how many of the Islamabad companies are in construction or real estate. The 167 foreign investors are also a count across all sectors. The reports do not give their nationalities or say how many invested in property.
Why Tourism Registrations Are Worth Noting
The 222 tourism companies are close in number to the 193 real estate development companies. Tourism-linked businesses often drive demand for hotels, guest houses and commercial property in the north. The reports do not say where the new tourism companies are based or what they plan to do.
Why the SECP Is Also Relevant to Property Investment Rules
The SECP regulates more than company registration. Its rules also apply to property investment structures, as in our reports on the SECP's REIT framework for ordinary investors and the proposed corporatisation of Abad REITs. Those are separate from the September registration figures.
What This Means for Developers, Investors and Buyers
The figures suggest that new businesses are still being formed in construction and property. Buyers should not take a new developer's registration as proof of a licensed or approved project. Before paying for a plot or unit, they should check the company's SECP registration, the land title and the project's approval from the relevant authority. The signals to watch are the SECP's October figures and any breakdown of new companies by sub-sector. Company data is published by the SECP.