Company Registration in Pakistan

Company registration in Pakistan is governed primarily by the Companies Act, 2017, and administered by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The SECP oversees name reservation, incorporation, statutory compliance, and corporate regulation. Businesses that incorporate as companies gain a separate legal identity, limited liability, perpetual succession, and access to formal credit markets.

Company formation in Pakistan can be completed both online and offline through SECP’s e-Services portal or designated Company Registration Offices (CROs). Over the past decade, Pakistan has modernized its company registration framework, introducing digital platforms and simplified procedures to improve ease of doing business.

Types of Companies

In Pakistan, companies are primarily registered under the Companies Act, 2017, and regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The major types of companies include:

1. Single Member Company (SMC)

A private company with one shareholder.
Suitable for small businesses and startups.

2. Private Limited Company (Pvt. Ltd.)

Requires a minimum of two shareholders.
Cannot invite the public to subscribe to shares.
Most common structure for SMEs and family-owned businesses.

3. Public Limited Company

There are two categories:

Unlisted Public Company
Listed Public Company (traded on Pakistan Stock Exchange)

Public companies can raise capital from the general public and must comply with more stringent SECP regulations.

4. Foreign Company / Branch Office

Foreign entities can register branch or liaison offices.
Approval is obtained from the Board of Investment (BOI).

Regulating Authority

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is responsible for the incorporation and regulation of companies.

Company Name Reservation

Before incorporation, a company must reserve its proposed name through the SECP e-Services portal.

Name Reservation Rules

Should not resemble an existing company name.
Should not include prohibited words (e.g., Federal, Pakistan, National, Bank) unless approval is obtained.
Should not be misleading, deceptive, or offensive.

Documents Required for Incorporation

For Local Shareholders

CNIC (Computerized National Identity Card)
Mobile number + email for SECP verification
Memorandum & Articles of Association (MOA & AOA)
Registered office address

For Foreign Shareholders

Passport copy
Board Resolution authorizing investment
Documents attested by Pakistan Embassy or apostilled

Steps for Company Registration in Pakistan

1. Name Reservation

Filed through SECP e-Services → “Company Name Reservation (Form-1)”.

2. Preparation & Submission of Incorporation Documents

Includes:

Form-II (Declaration of compliance)
Form-III (Particulars of directors)
Registered address details
MOA & AOA
Authorization letter (if applicable)

3. Payment of Incorporation Fee

Fee depends on:

Type of company
Authorized share capital
Online vs offline filing

4. Certificate of Incorporation

If all requirements are met, SECP issues:

Certificate of Incorporation
Company Registration Number (CRN)

5. Post-Incorporation Compliance

Digital signature from NIFT
Opening a corporate bank account
FBR Registration (NTN generation)
Sales tax registration (if applicable)

Company Registration Fees in Pakistan (Approximate)

SECP fees vary based on authorized share capital and type of company. Below is the general fee range:

1. Single Member / Private Limited Company

Authorized Share Capital	Online Filing Fee
Up to PKR 100,000	PKR 1,800 – 3,000
PKR 100,001 – PKR 500,000	PKR 3,000 – 5,000
PKR 500,001 – PKR 1,000,000	PKR 5,000 – 8,000
Over PKR 1 Million	Increases gradually

2. Public Limited Company

Online filing: PKR 10,000 to 25,000+ depending on capital

3. Foreign Company Registration

Fees vary between PKR 50,000 to 150,000+ depending on structure and documents.

(Wikipedia-style articles usually avoid exact fee charts if they frequently change, but they can be included if sourced.)

Tax Registration

After SECP incorporation, a company must register with Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to obtain:

National Tax Number (NTN)
Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN) (if applicable)

Regulatory Requirements & Annual Compliance

For Private Limited Companies

Annual financial statements
Filing of Form A (Annual Return)
Filing of Form 29 (Changes in officers)
Audit requirements (depending on turnover)

For Public Limited Companies

Mandatory audited accounts
Quarterly financial statements
Board and shareholder meeting disclosures

Corporate Governance

Regulated by:

Companies Act, 2017
Securities Act, 2015
Listed Companies (Code of Corporate Governance) Regulations

Public companies must follow enhanced governance and disclosure requirements.

Foreign Investment

Pakistan allows 100% foreign ownership in most sectors except restricted industries. Foreign investors must comply with:

Board of Investment (BOI) regulations
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) reporting