Glossary · PSX Mechanics
Unique Investor Number
A unique identification number assigned to every investor registered on the PSX. Required to trade on the exchange. Issued by a licensed broker upon account opening.
01—What is Unique Investor Number?
The definition — and what it means in practice.
A Unique Investor Number (UIN) is the unique identification number assigned to every investor registered to trade on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). It links your identity to your brokerage account for exchange trading and post-trade processing. A UIN is issued by a licensed broker when you open a trading account, and it is required before you can place trades on the PSX.
For an investor, the UIN matters because it is the core reference that ties together your trading activity, holdings and settlement records across the market infrastructure. Without a UIN, you cannot access PSX trading through your broker. In practice, you may see your UIN referenced in account-opening paperwork and in broker communications related to trading and settlement, especially when verifying that trades are booked correctly.
Think of a UIN as your PSX investor ID: once your broker issues it, you can place trades like buying 100 shares, and the trade is recorded against you.
- A UIN is a unique ID for every investor registered to trade on the PSX.
- It is mandatory: you cannot trade on the PSX without a UIN.
- A licensed broker issues your UIN when you open an account.
- It helps link trades and records to the correct investor across the market system.
02—How unique investor number works on the PSX
The Pakistan-specific rules, conventions, and numbers.
On the PSX, every investor needs a UIN to trade. You typically receive it as part of the account-opening process with a broker that holds a Trading Right Entitlement Certificate (TREC) licence. Once issued, the UIN becomes the identifier used in broker-side processes that support placing orders and completing post-trade steps through the market’s clearing and holding structure.
PSX trades clear through the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL), and shares are held electronically at the Central Depository Company (CDC). In day-to-day use, you may not need to quote your UIN for each order, but it underpins how your broker and the market infrastructure tie activity back to you. If you open a simplified Sahulat Account (meant for small investors), you still need a UIN to access PSX trading.
03—Common misconceptions
Where investors most often get this wrong.
A UIN is optional if I only trade small amounts.
On the PSX, every investor needs a UIN to trade, regardless of trade size or account type, including a Sahulat Account.
My UIN is the same as my CDC account number.
They are different identifiers. A UIN identifies the investor for PSX trading registration; CDC relates to how shares are held electronically.
If I change brokers, I must get a new UIN.
A broker issues the UIN at account opening, but the purpose of a UIN is to uniquely identify the investor. Your broker can guide you on how it is handled if you change accounts.
04—Using unique investor number on BSL
Where this term shows up across the platform — with live data.
- Learn the basics of trading terms with our glossary.
- Compare market activity you’ll see alongside your orders on the market.
- Use the stock screener to shortlist shares once your trading account is set up.
- Explore listed companies you can trade on the PSX via stocks.
05—Frequently asked questions
What investors ask about unique investor number on the PSX.
Frequently Asked Questions
A Unique Investor Number (UIN) is the unique identification number assigned to an investor registered to trade on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX). It is required before you can place trades and is issued by a licensed broker when you open a trading account.
Yes. Every investor needs a UIN to trade on the PSX. Your broker arranges it as part of account opening, so you can be registered for exchange trading and related processing.
A UIN is issued by a licensed broker when you open a trading account. Brokers on the PSX operate under a Trading Right Entitlement Certificate (TREC) licence.
Yes. A Sahulat Account is a simplified, low-documentation account for small investors, but it still requires a UIN because every investor must have a UIN to trade on the PSX.
PSX trades clear through NCCPL, and shares are held electronically at the CDC. Your UIN helps link your trading activity to the correct investor across the trading and post-trade process.
06—Related terms
Keep building the picture.
A licensed financial intermediary authorised by the SECP to execute buy and sell orders on the Pakistan Stock Exchange on behalf of clients.
A licensed member of the stock exchange who executes buy and sell orders on behalf of clients and may also provide investment advice. All PSX stockbrokers must hold a valid TREC and be registered with the SECP.
The licence that authorises a brokerage firm to trade on the Pakistan Stock Exchange. All legitimate PSX brokers must hold a valid TREC issued by the PSX.
The entity responsible for clearing and settlement of trades executed on the PSX. Ensures that both the buyer and the seller receive shares and payment upon settlement of the trade.
The institution responsible for maintaining electronic records of securities ownership in Pakistan. All PSX-traded shares are held in dematerialised form through the CDC. Investors access their holdings via a CDC Investor Account or through their broker's sub-account.
A simplified, low-cost brokerage account introduced by the PSX to encourage new and small investors to participate in the stock market. Designed with minimal documentation requirements and a straightforward fee structure.
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