Experienced Regulator Takes Charge of Pakistan’s Corporate Watchdog
The federal government has appointed Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu as the new Chairman of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The appointment was confirmed through a formal notification issued by the Finance Division on Friday.
Dr Sidhu replaces the outgoing leadership at a time when Pakistan’s corporate and financial markets face growing regulatory, governance, and investor confidence challenges. His appointment is being viewed as a strategic move to strengthen enforcement, transparency, and institutional performance at the country’s top corporate regulator.
Before assuming this role, Dr Sidhu was serving as Chairman of the Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP). He took charge of the CCP in August 2023. During his tenure, the commission witnessed one of the most significant institutional revivals in its history.
Government officials and market observers believe his experience in competition law, market regulation, and investor protection will be crucial for SECP’s evolving mandate.
Major Reforms and Enforcement Success at CCP
Dr Sidhu’s leadership at the CCP is widely credited with restoring the regulator’s authority and credibility. Within just two years, the commission reduced its long-pending court case backlog by more than 70 percent. Out of 567 pending cases, 434 were decided during his tenure.
This sharp improvement enhanced enforcement efficiency and helped rebuild trust among businesses and consumers. Under his leadership, the CCP recovered approximately Rs1.36 billion in penalties. In comparison, total recoveries during the previous two decades stood at around Rs200 million.
The commission also imposed over Rs2 billion in new penalties through fresh enforcement actions. These figures marked a turning point in the CCP’s history and signaled a tougher stance against anti-competitive practices.
Dr Sidhu led a renewed crackdown on cartels and market manipulation. Major investigations were launched against cartels in poultry, sugar, edible oil, telecommunications, and medical services. Several landmark decisions were later upheld by the Supreme Court and the Competition Appellate Tribunal.
These judicial endorsements strengthened the CCP’s legal standing and sent a strong message to violators across industries.
Focus on Consumer Protection and Market Modernisation
Consumer protection became a central focus during Dr Sidhu’s time at the CCP. The commission imposed significant penalties on companies involved in deceptive marketing and misleading business practices.
Sectors targeted included real estate, fast-moving consumer goods, education, pharmaceuticals, and automobiles. Companies penalised during this period included Kingdom Valley, Unilever, FrieslandCampina Engro, Al-Ghazi Tractors, Hyundai Nishat, British Lyceum, and 3N Lifemed.
A major institutional reform introduced under his leadership was the creation of the Market Intelligence Unit (MIU). This AI-powered surveillance arm enabled proactive, data-driven detection of market abuse and cartel behaviour.
On the facilitation side, the CCP processed 139 merger cases across 34 sectors. High-profile transactions included the PTCL–Telenor merger, Shell Pakistan’s sale to Wafi Energy, and multiple deals in financial services, energy, and logistics.
The PTCL–Telenor merger decision was particularly praised for balancing foreign investment needs with competition safeguards.
Dr Sidhu also established a Centre of Excellence in Competition Law. The centre focuses on competition assessment studies aimed at modernising Pakistan’s regulatory framework across all sectors of the economy.
Strong Academic Background and Global Experience
According to official records, Dr Sidhu holds a Bachelor’s degree in law, an LLM in banking, insurance, and international business law, and a PhD from the University of Manchester. His doctoral research focused on investor protection and regulation of stock exchanges in the UK, US, and Shariah-compliant markets.
He also earned a postgraduate diploma in civil litigation from the Manchester Law Society. Additionally, he holds certifications in mortgage and financial advice from the London Institute of Banking and Finance.
With over 20 years of professional experience, Dr Sidhu has worked with law firms, insurance companies, and financial institutions in the UK. In Pakistan, he has served in senior advisory roles at the Ministry of Law and the Privatisation Commission.
Experts believe his appointment will bring regulatory stability, stronger enforcement, and investor-focused reforms to SECP during a critical period for Pakistan’s economy.
