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Is forex trading legal in Pakistan?

Pakistan's regulators have warned repeatedly that offshore online trading platforms are not authorised to operate in the country. Here is what the SECP and the State Bank have said.

Checked 12 Nov 2026Not legal advice

Short answer: the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) and the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) treat offshore online forex platforms as unauthorised. Using one means no Pakistani legal protection, and regulators have asked for such platforms to be blocked.

What the regulators have said

  • SECP, April 2025: warned the public against offshore platforms offering forex, commodities, options and other speculative products without approval in Pakistan. It named Quotex as not authorised, referred it to the FIA and PTA for blocking, and said investors in such platforms have no legal protection or way to recover funds.
  • State Bank of Pakistan: has issued advisories against "illegal offshore foreign exchange trading platforms", naming firms including OctaFX and Easy Forex.

Risks: fraud, frozen withdrawals and total loss with no route to recovery. Be especially careful with offers spread through WhatsApp groups, social media and influencers, which the SECP highlighted.

How to check a platform

  1. Check the SECP's list of licensed brokers and investment advisers at secp.gov.pk.
  2. Ask which Pakistani licence the firm holds. Foreign licences do not authorise it to serve Pakistani residents.
  3. For regulated exposure to markets, look at SECP-regulated venues and licensed brokers, such as those on the Pakistan Stock Exchange and Pakistan Mercantile Exchange, and check what products they offer.

FAQ

Can I fund an offshore broker from a Pakistani bank?

Foreign exchange payments are controlled by the SBP, and payments to unauthorised trading platforms may be blocked or breach the rules. Ask your bank and a legal adviser.

Is crypto trading the same?

No. Crypto has its own, separate rules in Pakistan. This page covers leveraged forex platforms.

Sources

  1. SECP press release, 9 April 2025
  2. Business Recorder: SBP advisory against offshore FX trading platforms
  3. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan

General information, not financial or legal advice.