ISLAMABAD: The Sec­urities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has now introduced a single combined digital certificate evidencing registration with the SECP and some provincial departments simultaneously.

The move aims to strive for reducing physical interaction with the citizens and provide services through use of modern technology at the door-step of the end-users.

The initiative is expected to significantly reduce the overall “Starting a Business” time in Pakistan and would have a positive impact on the country’s ranking on the Doing Business Index.

There are less than 10 jurisdictions globally where federal and provincial registrations are integrated online on a real-time basis, and Pakistan has also now joined this league.

The single combined certificate will be issued through SECP’s e-Services in real-time upon incorporation of a company through a ‘single window, and will simultaneously register the company with provincial departments.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2021