The SECP (Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan) is the government regulator that licenses and oversees Pakistan's capital markets — stock brokers, mutual funds, and the PMEX commodities exchange.

It's your first safety check. A platform regulated by the SECP must follow rules on audits, keeping client money separate, and disclosure — and you have an authority to complain to if something goes wrong. "Unregulated" means none of that protection exists.

In Pakistan: mutual funds (run by AMCs), PSX stockbrokers, and PMEX all operate under SECP regulation.

Example (PKR): before putting Rs 10,000 into any investing app, confirm it is SECP-regulated — it's the cheapest insurance you'll ever get.

Don't confuse it with: the SBP (State Bank of Pakistan), which runs monetary policy and regulates banks. The SECP regulates markets.

Related terms: PMEX · Mutual fund · Digital gold
Where you'll meet this: Is digital gold safe? · Common investment mistakes