Karachi: The National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL) has announced an initiative to waive the Unique Identification Number (UIN) and Know Your Customer Officer (CKO) Annual Maintenance Fees for retail investors who did not engage in trading activities throughout the preceding year. The announcement was made on October 22, 2025, as part of NCCPL’s efforts to enhance the ease of doing business and alleviate financial burdens on market participants.

According to the revised fee structure, the UIN and CKO Annual Maintenance Fees will now be applicable only during the initial registration of an investor. Retail investors who have remained inactive, with no trades executed in the previous year, will not incur these fees in subsequent years. This measure underscores the commitment of NCCPL and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to create an investor-friendly environment by reducing ongoing maintenance costs, thereby encouraging greater participation in the country’s capital markets.

According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), this decision is part of a broader strategy aimed at fostering a supportive financial ecosystem. The waiver comes into effect immediately and reflects amendments to both the NCCPL Regulations, 2015, and the CKO Regulations, 2017.

Specifically, under the NCCPL Regulations, 2015, a fixed UIN Maintenance Fee of 300 will be charged at the time of an investor's registration. However, this charge will be waived for any subsequent years in which the investor has not engaged in trading activities. Similarly, under the CKO Regulations, 2017, an initial CKO Maintenance Fee of 100 will apply, with waivers granted under the same conditions of inactivity.

This initiative is seen as a significant step towards reducing the cost of participation for retail investors and aligns with national objectives to stimulate growth in the financial market sector.