Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu has formally assumed charge as the Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), ushering in a reform-focused agenda for the country’s corporate sector, capital markets, and non-banking financial institutions. The SECP, as Pakistan’s primary financial regulator, plays a critical role in overseeing corporate governance, capital market operations, and non-banking financial activities, making this leadership transition significant for the nation’s financial landscape.
In his inaugural statement, Dr Sidhu highlighted that the insurance industry would receive special attention under his leadership. He reiterated the regulator’s commitment to increasing insurance penetration through initiatives such as digital microinsurance, takaful products, parametric climate insurance, and enhanced transparency in policy offerings and claims management. These reforms are intended to expand coverage to the informal sector, strengthen consumer protection, and reinforce the resilience of Pakistan’s economy.
Dr Sidhu’s appointment is aligned with the Prime Minister’s Economic Governance Reforms and underscores a broader push toward improving financial inclusion, enhancing the ease of doing business, and modernising Pakistan’s financial and corporate sectors. Before joining the SECP, he served as Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan, a position he resigned from with his departure officially accepted by the Federal Cabinet on 27 January.
Upon taking office, Dr Sidhu outlined a vision focused on building a fair, transparent, and inclusive financial market that channels domestic savings into productive investments. He emphasised the importance of supporting innovation, reducing regulatory costs, and accelerating digital transformation across corporate and financial regulatory frameworks. By streamlining procedures and simplifying compliance, he aims to reduce the cost of doing business and make Pakistan a more attractive destination for investors.
A major priority highlighted by Dr Sidhu is the development of Pakistan’s capital markets. He plans to broaden the investor base, encourage new market listings, and introduce diversified financial products such as derivatives, REITs, green bonds, and fractional investment options. These measures are intended to deepen market liquidity, enhance investor confidence, and align Pakistan’s capital markets with global best practices.
In the non-banking financial sector, Dr Sidhu emphasised the revival and promotion of institutions such as leasing companies, digital lending platforms, mortgage and housing finance, and peer-to-peer networks. By expanding credit access, particularly for SMEs, first-time borrowers, and underserved segments, these initiatives are expected to drive inclusive economic growth.
Digitalisation is also a cornerstone of the new SECP leadership. Dr Sidhu announced plans to fully digitise the licensing regime, supported by a smart compliance system that simplifies regulatory requirements, lowers compliance costs, and shortens turnaround times for businesses. This approach aims to improve regulatory efficiency while encouraging greater participation from domestic and international investors.
Dr Sidhu brings over 20 years of experience across the legal, financial, and regulatory landscapes of the UK and Pakistan, alongside a distinguished academic background. He holds a PhD from the University of Manchester focused on regulation of market abuse and manipulation, an LLM in Banking, Insurance, and International Business Law, and certifications in financial advice from the London Institute of Banking and Finance. His expertise positions him to lead the SECP through a period of reform and modernization while enhancing transparency and investor confidence in Pakistan’s financial markets.
Under Dr Sidhu’s leadership, the SECP is expected to accelerate reforms across insurance, capital markets, and non-banking financial institutions, strengthening the overall financial ecosystem, supporting sustainable growth, and fostering a more inclusive economy.
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