SECP Survey Finds Strong Stakeholder Trust, Calls for Faster Service

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan has released the results of its first Stakeholder Perception and Feedback Survey. Survey revealed strong trust in the regulator’s integrity while also highlighting areas where stakeholders want faster and more responsive service. The survey, conducted independently by Gallup Pakistan, assessed perceptions across Corporate Registries, Capital Markets, Insurance and Non-Banking Financial Companies. SECP said the findings show consistent confidence in its fairness, with integrity scores ranging from 3.1 to 3.6 on a five-point scale. Gallup Pakistan noted that such ratings are significantly above the norm for public sector organisations in Pakistan, where scores generally remain much lower. However, the survey also pointed out weaknesses in user experience. Stakeholders identified delays in turnaround time for queries, lack of clarity in certain regulations and slow responsiveness in support channels, particularly within the Corporate Registry. In response, SECP said it will take immediate steps to build a more agile and business-friendly regulatory environment. Chairperson Akif Saeed said the regulator is encouraged by the trust shown but recognises the need for operational improvements. He said SECP is now developing plain language guidance material, including text and video content for public use, and will carry out a rigorous review of complaint handling timelines and call centre performance to reduce delays and improve communication. The regulator added that the stakeholder survey will be repeated periodically to measure progress and ensure continuous enhancement in service delivery.