The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has approved the creation of a Corporate Intelligence Unit (CIU) to detect suspicious corporate activities.
The Unit will identify Ponzi and pyramid schemes, illegal deposit-taking, unlicensed lending and businesses operating outside authorised objectives.
The unit will analyse publicly available information from news reports, social media platforms and online advertisements to identify potential violations before formal complaints are lodged.
Verified information will be forwarded to the relevant SECP departments for investigation or enforcement, while cases may also be referred to agencies such as the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA), National Cyber Crime Investigation Agency (NCCIA), State Bank of Pakistan and National Accountability Bureau (NAB), where necessary.
The initiative aims to improve the regulator’s early-warning and surveillance capabilities, enable prompt action against suspected illegal activities and minimise investor losses.
By identifying recurring patterns and connecting information from different public sources, the unit will also help the commission assess emerging risks and focus its regulatory oversight accordingly.
SECP Chairman Dr Kabir said the new unit would strengthen risk-based monitoring by turning publicly available information into verified leads for regulatory action.
He added that detecting suspicious activities at an early stage could facilitate timely intervention, enhance inter-agency coordination and protect investors from mounting financial losses.
The CIU will operate under Section 20 of the SECP Act, 1997, within the Chairman’s Secretariat. It will be headed by a director or additional director and supported by two officers.
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