The federal government has appointed Ali Farid Khawaja as a commissioner of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan for a three-year term, as the regulator continues to function amid leadership transitions.
According to an official notification issued by the Finance Division on January 27, 2026, Ali Farid Khawaja has been appointed as SECP commissioner with immediate effect under Sections 5 and 7 of the SECP Act, 1997. His remuneration and allowances will be determined under the relevant provisions of the law.
The appointment comes shortly after the government named Dr Kabir Sidhu as Chairman SECP, following the completion of the prime minister’s interview process for senior regulatory positions.
Ali has more than 15 years’ experience in equity research and investments. Before joining KASB, Ali was a Partner at Autonomous Research in London (now a part of Alliance Bernstein), where he led equity research of European Fintech companies. Before Autonomous, Ali was the CFO and Board Director of Safe Charge Group (LSE: SCH LN), a global payments company listed on the London Stock Exchange.
He has been a top-ranked Technology Analyst in Europe at Berenberg and UBS. Ali is an alumnus of Georgetown Leadership Seminar and the University of Oxford, where he was a Rhodes Scholar. He is also a Patron of the British Pakistan Foundation and a member of the Business and Entrepreneur Forum of the UK Conservative Party.
With Ali Farid Khawaja’s induction, one commissioner’s post at the SECP still remains vacant, while another position could not be filled due to pending security clearances of shortlisted candidates, according to sources familiar with the process.
Earlier, the Ministry of Finance had shortlisted nine candidates for three commissioner positions. Sources said appointments could only be made against one seat, as security clearance issues delayed decisions on the remaining two posts.
Despite the absence of a chairman and full commission at various stages since December 12, existing commissioners at the SECP continued to clear key regulatory matters, including approvals related to mergers, acquisitions, and policy decisions.
There are also expectations that the new leadership may review allowances and benefits granted to former commissioners, a matter that has remained under scrutiny within regulatory and policy circles.
