How to Open a PSX Sahulat Account in Pakistan With a CNIC and a Short Form
A PSX Sahulat account needs a CNIC copy and a short form from a broker, with a Rs 3 million limit and no margin trading. See the steps and what the form asks.
Short answer: A Sahulat account is a simplified share trading account that the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) offers through its brokers. PSX says you fill in a short form, attach a copy of your CNIC and hand both to the broker. The account carries a Rs 3 million limit and keeps you out of borrowed-money trading.
A student with a little savings does not want a ten-page form and a margin account. The Sahulat account was made for that person. It is a normal share account with fewer ways to get hurt.
We read PSX's Sahulat account page and the sample Sahulat form on its website on 12 October 2026. We did not open an account. The page gives no fees, so every cost question below is for your broker to answer.
A Sahulat account is a simpler PSX account with a Rs 3 million limit
PSX describes it as a brokerage account simplified for retail investors. It is for one person, with no joint holder. Each Sahulat account has a limit of Rs 3 million. You can sell shares up to their full value.
| Feature | What PSX says |
|---|---|
| Who can hold it | One individual, no joint holder |
| Limit per account | Rs 3 million |
| Accounts per broker | One Sahulat account with each broker |
| Number of brokers | You may use several brokers |
| Market allowed | Regular delivery contract, the ready market |
| Switch to a normal account | Allowed at any time |
PSX also lists daily trade limits on the same page. It gives gross trades of up to Rs 1.6 million a day and net trades of up to Rs 3 million a day. We could not reconcile the two figures with each other, so ask your broker which daily cap it applies.
The account blocks borrowed-money and special trades
Trading in leveraged products is restricted on a Sahulat account. PSX names the Margin Trading System, margin financing, stock lending and borrowing, and the negotiated deals market. You can trade freely in the ready market, where shares are bought and delivered in the normal way.
Leverage means trading with borrowed money, which magnifies both gains and losses. Skipping it is a feature for a beginner. You can switch to a regular account later if you want those products.
- You can buy and sell listed shares in the ready market.
- You can sell shares up to their full value.
- You cannot use margin trading, margin financing or stock lending through this account.
You need a CNIC copy and a short form from a PSX broker
PSX's page says to select a brokerage house, ask it to open the account, fill the simple form and attach your CNIC copy. The sample form on PSX's site also asks for your address, an income band and a bank account number.
The sample form is for resident Pakistani individuals only. Here is what it asks for.
| Section of the sample form | What you write |
|---|---|
| Identity | Name as on CNIC, father or husband name, CNIC number and expiry, date of birth |
| Address | Mailing address, permanent address if different, mobile number |
| Other details | Income band, source of income, occupation |
| Bank details | Bank name and IBAN |
| Zakat status | Deductible or not deductible |
| Nominee | Optional: a spouse, parent, sibling or child |
The form also has a tick box for free access to your CDC account details by phone and web. CDC is the Central Depository Company, which holds your shares in electronic form. A broker may ask for extra papers, so confirm the list before you go.
Open the account in five steps
Choose a broker that PSX lists, ask for the Sahulat account opening form, fill it in block letters, attach a CNIC copy and submit it to the broker. Then wait for the account and CDC details, and only then send money.
- Check the broker's name on PSX's list of TREC holders before you share any document.
- Ask for the Sahulat Account Opening Form. PSX also posts a sample on its Sahulat page.
- Fill it in block letters, with your name exactly as on your CNIC.
- Attach a copy of your CNIC and submit the form to the broker.
- Get your account and CDC details in writing, then fund it by bank transfer to the company's own account.
Once the account is live, our guide on how to start investing in the PSX explains the first purchase. If you want to buy shares at launch, see how to apply for an IPO. Profits paid as dividends are taxed, as set out in our note on dividend tax for filers and non-filers.
Common questions
What is the limit on a PSX Sahulat account?
PSX gives a limit of Rs 3 million per Sahulat account. It also lists gross trades of up to Rs 1.6 million a day, so confirm the daily cap with your broker.
Can I have more than one Sahulat account?
Yes, but only one with each broker. PSX says you may open Sahulat accounts with several brokers.
Can I trade on margin with a Sahulat account?
No. PSX restricts margin trading, margin financing, stock lending and borrowing, and the negotiated deals market on this account.
Can I switch to a normal account later?
Yes. PSX says Sahulat account holders can convert to a normal trading account at any time.
Can an overseas Pakistani open a Sahulat account?
The sample form is for resident Pakistani individuals only. PSX lists a separate route for overseas Pakistanis, called Roshan Equity Investment, and our guide on the Roshan Digital Account explains the overseas banking account.
Are there fees for opening a Sahulat account?
PSX's page does not state any fee. Ask your broker for its commission rate and CDC charges in writing before you sign.
How we verified this
What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.
We read the PSX Sahulat account page and its sample account opening form on 12 October 2026. The form's file name carries December 2020. The limits and restrictions are PSX's wording. Your broker may add its own rules, and PSX can change the limits.
About the author
Global Affairs & Political Economy Writer
Muhammad Hatim is a book lover who started writing because he enjoys it. At Pakistan Era he writes about international relations, geopolitics and the global economy, with a particular interest in South Asia and the forces behind current events.
