125 Overseas Firms Exit Pakistan by Jan 2026, SECP Data Shows

February 21, 2026

According to official data from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), a total of 125 overseas companies has formally exited Pakistan by January 20, 2026. These exits include branch and liaison offices that have completed closure procedures in major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Peshawar.

Wide Range of Sectors and Countries

The list of companies that have shut operations covers a diverse range of sectors — from engineering, construction, services and trading to oil & gas exploration — reflecting the broad foreign business presence that existed before their exits. Firms from countries including the United States, United Kingdom, UAE, China, Malaysia, Singapore, Japan, Australia and several European nations are among those that have ceased operations.

Business and Economic Context

While corporate exits are often part of normal global business cycles, analysts say the scale of closures could reflect broader challenges in Pakistan’s investment climate, such as regulatory hurdles, foreign exchange volatility and ease of doing business concerns. The closures are separate from profit repatriation trends, where foreign investors have continued to transfer earnings abroad.

Implications for Foreign Investment

The departure of these international entities may have impacts on employment, local partnerships and business ecosystems in the regions where they operated. Authorities and market observers will likely monitor how this trend affects Pakistan’s overall foreign investment and economic outlook in the coming months.