SECP Company Registration in Pakistan
SECP company registration gives a business a separate corporate identity, a defined ownership structure, and a legally recognised framework for conducting business in Pakistan.
Islamabad Lawyers & Attorneys provides lawyer-led company registration services throughout Pakistan for local entrepreneurs, startups, overseas Pakistanis, foreign investors, consultants, technology companies, traders, manufacturers and professional service providers.
Our corporate and taxation team handles the complete incorporation process, including:
- Selection of the appropriate company structure
- Company name reservation
- Shareholding and director planning
- Drafting of company objects
- Memorandum and Articles of Association
- SECP eZfile submission
- Subscriber and director verification
- Response to SECP objections
- Certificate of Incorporation
- NTN and FBR profile verification
- Post-incorporation corporate compliance
Professional Fee+SECP Charges: From PKR 30,000
Foreign Shareholding Cases: From PKR 40,000
Register a Company with SECP in Pakistan
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan is the principal authority responsible for the incorporation and regulation of companies in Pakistan.
Under the Companies Act, 2017:
- One person may form a Single Member Company
- Two or more persons may form a Private Limited Company
- Three or more persons may form a Public Limited Company
SECP currently allows company name reservation and incorporation through a combined or separate application using its eZfile system. SECP describes the official incorporation process as an end-to-end digitised process under the Companies Regulations, 2024.
Company Registration Services in Pakistan
Service | Assistance Provided |
Single Member Company | Registration for a business with one shareholder |
Private Limited Company | Incorporation for two or more shareholders |
Public Limited Company | Incorporation and corporate structuring |
Foreign-owned company | Pakistani subsidiary with foreign shareholders |
Limited Liability Partnership | Registration of professional or service-based LLP |
Section 42 company | Licensing and incorporation of a not-for-profit company |
Company name reservation | Name search, selection and SECP application |
Memorandum drafting | Drafting appropriate business objects |
SECP objection response | Correction and resubmission of incorporation application |
NTN assistance | Verification and completion of the company’s tax profile |
Post-incorporation compliance | Corporate records, annual filings and company changes |
Company Registration Fee in Pakistan
Company Structure | Professional Fee |
Single Member Company | From PKR 30,000 |
Private Limited Company | From PKR 30,000 |
Company with foreign shareholder | From PKR 40,000 |
Public Limited Company | Quotation after reviewing the structure |
Section 42 not-for-profit company | Quotation after reviewing the proposed objects |
Regulated or licensed company | Quotation after regulatory assessment |
The professional fee does not include SECP government charges, capital-based registration fees, digital verification charges, notarisation, foreign document attestation or fees payable to another regulator.
SECP government incorporation fees depend on factors including nominal share capital and whether the filing is submitted online or offline. SECP provides an incorporation fee calculator, but its calculated amount may not include additional charges such as the company name availability fee.
Table of Contents
Types of Companies Registered with SECP
Single Member Company Registration
A Single Member Company, commonly referred to as an SMC, is a private company owned by one person.
It is suitable for:
- Individual entrepreneurs
- Consultants
- Freelancers
- Software developers
- Exporters
- Online business owners
- Professional service providers
- Family businesses controlled by one principal owner
The sole member may ordinarily also serve as a director and chief executive, subject to applicable requirements.
An SMC must also identify an eligible nominee. The nominee arrangement is relevant if the sole member dies or becomes incapable of managing the company.
Private Limited Company Registration
A Private Limited Company is commonly used by startups, SMEs, family businesses, technology companies, contractors, manufacturers, traders and growing service businesses.
It requires two or more shareholders.
The shareholders may hold equal or different proportions of shares. They may also serve as directors, but ownership through shares and management through the board are legally distinct matters.
A Private Limited Company may provide:
- Separate legal identity
- Limited liability
- Defined ownership
- Better continuity
- Ability to admit investors
- Greater institutional credibility
- Transferable ownership through shares
- Formal corporate governance
- Better suitability for expansion
Shareholding, voting rights and management powers should be considered before filing the incorporation application.
Public Limited Company Registration
A Public Limited Company requires at least three members. Additional requirements apply depending on whether the company is listed or unlisted.
A public company may be appropriate for a larger enterprise intending to raise wider investment, operate under a more formal governance structure or eventually access capital markets.
Public company incorporation requires detailed legal, financial and regulatory planning and should not be treated as a routine online filing.
Limited Liability Partnership Registration
A Limited Liability Partnership combines features of a partnership with separate legal status and limited liability protection.
An LLP may be suitable for:
- Lawyers and consultants
- Accountants
- Technology professionals
- Architects
- Engineers
- Management consultants
- Professional service firms
- Jointly owned service businesses
The relationship between the partners should be documented through an LLP agreement covering capital, profit sharing, management, admission of partners, retirement, liability and dispute resolution.
SECP maintains separate incorporation and statutory forms for Limited Liability Partnerships.
Section 42 Not-for-Profit Company
A not-for-profit association may be incorporated under Section 42 of the Companies Act, 2017 for charitable, educational, social, professional, scientific, cultural or other permitted objects.
Its income and profits must be applied towards its approved objects rather than distributed to members as dividends or profit.
A Section 42 licence must ordinarily be obtained before the association is incorporated as a company. The Companies Act and the Companies Regulations, 2024 govern SECP’s licensing requirements.
Foreign-Owned Pakistani Company
Foreign nationals and foreign corporate entities may establish or hold shares in a Pakistani company, subject to applicable sector restrictions, documentation, security requirements and foreign investment rules.
The entity incorporated in Pakistan remains a Pakistani company even where foreign investors own some or all of its shares.
A foreign-owned Pakistani company is different from a branch or liaison office of a company incorporated outside Pakistan.
Company, LLP, Partnership or Sole Proprietorship?
Structure | Registration Authority | Owners | Separate Legal Entity | Common Use |
Single Member Company | SECP | One member | Yes | Individual founder |
Private Limited Company | SECP | Two or more members | Yes | Startups and SMEs |
Public Limited Company | SECP | Three or more members | Yes | Large enterprises |
Limited Liability Partnership | SECP | Two or more partners | Yes | Professional firms |
Partnership Firm | Registrar of Firms | Two or more partners | Generally no company status | Small jointly owned firms |
Sole Proprietorship | FBR and relevant authorities | One owner | No | Freelancers and small businesses |
A sole proprietorship and an ordinary partnership are not incorporated as companies with the SECP.
Is an LLC Registered in Pakistan?
The expression “LLC registration in Pakistan” is frequently used by overseas Pakistanis and foreign clients familiar with United States company terminology.
Pakistan does not ordinarily use the American Limited Liability Company designation for companies incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017.
Depending on the intended structure, the appropriate Pakistani entity may be:
- Single Member Company
- Private Limited Company
- Public Limited Company
- Limited Liability Partnership
- Foreign-owned Pakistani subsidiary
- Branch or liaison office of a foreign company
The correct structure depends on the ownership, management, investment, taxation and commercial objectives of the founders.
SECP Company Registration Process
Step 1: Select the Appropriate Business Structure
The first step is deciding whether the business should be registered as an SMC, Private Limited Company, Public Limited Company, LLP or another legal structure.
The decision should consider:
- Number of owners
- Nature of business
- Liability exposure
- Investment plans
- Shareholding requirements
- Management rights
- Tax position
- Sector regulations
- Future transfer or succession
- Overseas or foreign ownership
Step 2: Select Proposed Company Names
The applicants should ordinarily provide three proposed company names in order of preference.
A company name should:
- Be distinctive
- Not be identical or deceptively similar to an existing company
- Not contain prohibited or restricted words without approval
- Not imply an unauthorised government connection
- Not be offensive or misleading
- Be consistent with the proposed business activity
A weak or restricted name is one of the most common causes of delay at the initial stage.
Step 3: Determine Shareholding and Management
The promoters must decide:
- Names of shareholders
- Number or percentage of shares
- Authorised share capital
- Paid-up capital
- Names of directors
- Appointment of chief executive
- Registered office address
- Principal business activity
- Voting and management arrangements
These decisions should be finalised before incorporation because they determine the initial ownership and control of the company.
Step 4: Draft the Company Objects
The principal line of business and company objects must accurately reflect the intended commercial activity.
Examples may include:
- Software development
- Information technology services
- Consultancy
- Import and export
- E-commerce
- Construction
- Trading
- Manufacturing
- Education
- Healthcare
- Marketing
- Logistics
- Real estate development
- Professional services
Regulated activities should not be inserted casually. Banking, insurance, securities, security services, non-banking finance, education, health and other specialised activities may require prior approval or separate licensing.
Step 5: Prepare Incorporation Information
The incorporation filing may require information concerning:
- Subscribers
- Directors
- Chief executive
- Registered office
- Share capital
- Principal line of business
- Memorandum of Association
- Articles of Association
- Nominee in an SMC
- Foreign subscriber documentation
- Declarations and undertakings
- Regulatory approvals where applicable
Step 6: Submit the SECP eZfile Application
The company name reservation and incorporation application may be submitted as a combined application or through separate stages.
SECP states that the name reservation and incorporation process is end-to-end digitised and currently organised through four principal steps.
Subscribers, directors and officers may need to complete electronic verification through their registered email addresses, mobile numbers or eZfile credentials.
Step 7: Respond to SECP Observations
The registrar may raise an observation where:
- The proposed name is unacceptable
- Business objects are unclear
- Shareholding information is inconsistent
- Director details are incomplete
- Foreign documents are missing
- Verification has not been completed
- The business requires approval from another authority
- The incorporation documents contain an error
The observation must be reviewed and answered through correction, clarification or supporting documents.
Step 8: Obtain the Certificate of Incorporation
After approval, SECP issues the Certificate of Incorporation.
The certificate confirms the legal incorporation of the company but does not, by itself, complete every tax, banking, licensing, and operational requirement.
Documents Required for Pakistani Subscribers
Pakistani promoters ordinarily provide:
- CNIC copies of subscribers
- CNIC copies of directors
- CNIC copy of chief executive
- Active mobile numbers
- Active email addresses
- Three proposed company names
- Description of business activity
- Registered office address
- Shareholding percentages
- Authorised share capital
- Paid-up capital information
- Director and officer details
- Nominee details for an SMC
Additional documents may be required where a company, trust, institution or other body corporate is becoming a shareholder.
Company Registration for Overseas Pakistanis
An overseas Pakistani may register a company in Pakistan without being physically present for every stage, subject to completion of documentation and electronic verification.
Depending on the case, the applicant may provide:
- CNIC or NICOP
- Passport
- Overseas residential address
- Pakistani registered office address
- Active email address
- Active mobile number
- Proposed shareholding
- Director and chief executive details
- Business activity
- Power of attorney where legally appropriate
The SECP account, subscriber details and tax profile should be created using accurate information. Temporary or unauthorised contact details should not be inserted merely to complete the filing.
Company Registration for Foreign Nationals
A foreign individual may become a subscriber, shareholder, director or chief executive of a Pakistani company, subject to applicable documentation and regulatory requirements.
Documents may include:
- Notarised or attested passport copy
- Recent photograph
- Residential address
- Email and contact details
- Biodata
- Foreign subscriber or director undertaking
- Details of proposed shareholding
- Security clearance information where applicable
SECP maintains specific undertakings and supporting-document requirements for foreign subscribers, directors and corporate shareholders.
Foreign Corporate Entity as a Shareholder
Where an overseas company becomes a shareholder of a Pakistani company, additional documentation may include:
- Certificate of incorporation
- Constitutional documents
- Board resolution approving the investment
- Details of nominee director
- Latest corporate return
- Company profile
- Beneficial ownership information
- Undertakings
- Notarisation and diplomatic attestation where required
The corporate documents should be reviewed before submission because the required certification may depend on the country of origin and nature of the investing entity.
Branch and Liaison Office Registration
A branch or liaison office is not the same as incorporating a new Pakistani subsidiary.
A foreign company intending to establish a place of business in Pakistan may need:
- Permission or NOC from the Board of Investment
- SECP registration as a foreign company
- Appointment of an authorised representative
- Registered place of business
- Certified constitutional documents
- Details of directors
- Prescribed foreign company filings
- FBR registration
- Continuing annual compliance
SECP’s current foreign-company guidance states that the required permission or NOC should be obtained before applying to SECP for registration of a foreign company’s place of business.
Company Name Reservation Rules
The proposed name should be selected carefully because name approval is not automatic.
A name may be refused where it:
- Resembles an existing company
- Contains a prohibited expression
- Suggests a government connection
- Misrepresents the nature of the business
- Uses a regulated industry expression without approval
- Violates public policy
- Is deceptive, offensive or undesirable
The availability of a domain name or trademark does not automatically mean SECP will approve the same name.
Similarly, SECP name approval does not automatically give complete trademark protection.
Memorandum and Articles of Association
Memorandum of Association
The Memorandum identifies the company’s name, registered province or territory, liability, capital and principal business objects.
The business objects should match the company’s actual proposed activity.
Incorrect or excessively generic objects may create difficulties when the company later applies for:
- Bank account facilities
- Regulatory licences
- Import or export registration
- Investor due diligence
- Tax registrations
- Government vendor registration
- Sector-specific approvals
Articles of Association
The Articles govern the internal administration of the company.
They may address:
- Director powers
- Board meetings
- Shareholder meetings
- Voting
- Share transfers
- Share issuance
- Notices
- Dividends
- Company records
- Appointment and removal of directors
Companies with special founder, investor or family ownership arrangements may require customised Articles rather than relying exclusively on standard provisions.
Authorised and Paid-Up Share Capital
Authorised share capital is the maximum capital that the company is initially authorised to issue under its constitutional documents.
Paid-up capital represents the shares actually issued and subscribed by the members.
The capital structure should be selected according to:
- Number of shareholders
- Investment commitments
- Regulatory requirements
- Future fundraising
- Government contract requirements
- Banking needs
- Sector licensing
- Intended ownership percentages
An unnecessarily large authorised capital may increase government charges because SECP’s incorporation fee is linked to nominal share capital.
Registered Office of the Company
Every company must provide a registered office address.
The address is used for:
- SECP correspondence
- Corporate notices
- Statutory records
- Tax registration
- Banking documentation
- Legal service of notices
- Regulatory communication
The address should be genuine and accessible.
A temporary, fictitious or unauthorised address can create problems with SECP, FBR, banks, regulators and contractual counterparties.
How Long Does SECP Company Registration Take?
A straightforward company may be incorporated within a few working days where:
- The proposed name is accepted
- Documents are complete
- Business objects are clear
- Subscriber details are accurate
- Electronic verification is completed promptly
- No regulated activity is involved
- SECP does not raise an observation
Registration Stage | Typical Position |
Initial consultation | Same day |
Name selection and information review | Same day |
Name reservation | Subject to SECP review |
Incorporation document preparation | Normally one working day |
SECP review | Subject to registrar processing |
Certificate of Incorporation | After approval |
Tax profile verification | After incorporation |
SECP may provide a Fast Track Registration Service for urgent applications where the service is available, and the applicable fee is paid. Fast-track filing does not remove legal requirements or guarantee approval where the application contains a defect.
NTN Registration After Company Incorporation
Company incorporation and tax registration are connected but should be treated as separate compliance matters.
FBR and SECP have introduced a one-window facility under which company information may be transmitted to FBR for NTN registration after incorporation.
A company’s NTN is ordinarily a seven-digit registration number. The company’s FBR profile, registered email, mobile number, principal officer and business address should still be checked after incorporation.
Registration does not automatically place a company on the Active Taxpayers List. The company must file the applicable income tax return and comply with tax requirements.
Corporate Bank Account After Registration
After incorporation, the company may apply for a corporate bank account.
The bank may require:
- Certificate of Incorporation
- Memorandum and Articles
- NTN
- Board resolution
- CNICs or passports of directors
- Beneficial ownership information
- Registered office evidence
- Business profile
- Expected transaction information
- Source of funds
- Shareholding information
Bank requirements vary depending on the bank, business activity, ownership structure and risk assessment.
Post-Incorporation Requirements
After receiving the Certificate of Incorporation, the company may need to complete:
- FBR profile verification
- Corporate bank account opening
- Issue of share certificates
- Preparation of statutory registers
- First board resolutions
- Appointment of authorised signatories
- Accounting records
- Income tax compliance
- Sales tax registration where applicable
- Provincial sales tax registration
- Employment and labour registrations
- Intellectual property protection
- PSEB registration for qualifying technology businesses
- Import, export or customs registration
- Sector-specific licensing
- Annual SECP returns
- Annual financial statements
- Beneficial ownership compliance
Company registration is the beginning of corporate compliance, not its completion.
Regulated and Licensed Businesses
Some businesses require prior approval, additional documents or a licence from SECP or another authority.
Examples may include:
- Banking
- Insurance
- Non-banking finance
- Securities and investment services
- Security services
- Education
- Healthcare
- Aviation
- Telecom
- Pharmaceuticals
- Real estate development
- Travel and tourism
- Recruitment
- Money services
- Charitable and not-for-profit activities
A company should not assume that incorporation alone authorises it to begin a regulated business.
Common SECP Registration Objections
SECP may raise an observation because of:
- Similar company name
- Restricted word
- Incorrect CNIC or passport information
- Unclear principal business activity
- Incomplete foreign shareholder documents
- Inconsistent shareholding percentages
- Invalid registered office information
- Missing subscriber verification
- Incorrect nominee details
- Unapproved regulated activity
- Defective Memorandum
- Missing undertaking
- Incomplete corporate shareholder resolution
Our lawyers review the objection, correct the application and prepare the required response or supporting documentation.
Company Registration Consultant vs Corporate Lawyer
Matter | Corporate Lawyer | Routine Filing Agent |
Online application submission | Yes | Usually |
Company structure advice | Yes | Limited |
Shareholding planning | Yes | Limited |
Memorandum drafting | Yes | Template-based |
Foreign investment advice | Yes | Limited |
Founder and shareholder rights | Yes | Usually no |
Regulated business assessment | Yes | Limited |
Response to legal objection | Yes | Procedural support only |
Corporate agreements | Yes | Usually no |
Continuing legal compliance | Yes | Limited |
A filing agent may assist with data entry. A corporate lawyer considers the legal consequences of ownership, liability, management, investment and regulatory compliance.
Why Choose Islamabad Lawyers & Attorneys?
Our company registration service combines corporate law, taxation and business compliance.
Clients receive:
- Lawyer-led company structuring
- Clear professional fee
- SECP documentation support
- Accurate business-object drafting
- Shareholding and director planning
- Assistance for overseas Pakistanis
- Foreign shareholder documentation
- SECP objection response
- NTN and tax-profile assistance
- Post-incorporation compliance advice
- Online consultation throughout Pakistan
- Islamabad office support
We assist clients in Islamabad, Rawalpindi, Karachi, Lahore and other parts of Pakistan.
About Our Senior Corporate and Tax Lawyer
Mohsin Ali Shah, Senior Corporate and Tax Lawyer and Chairman of Qanoon Group Pakistan, supervises the company registration practice.
He commenced legal practice in 1985 and has more than four decades of professional experience in corporate law, taxation, company structuring, regulatory compliance and commercial legal matters.
He works with lawyers, taxation consultants and corporate professionals to assist local businesses, overseas Pakistanis and foreign investors.
Start Your SECP Company Registration
Send the following information through WhatsApp:
- Three proposed company names
- Nature of business
- Number of shareholders
- Shareholding percentages
- Names of directors
- Pakistani or foreign ownership
- Proposed registered office
- Preferred company structure
- CNIC, NICOP or passport status
- Any special licence required
Islamabad Office: Office No. 5, 2nd Floor, Laraib Plaza, Karachi Company, G-9 Markaz, Islamabad
Frequently Asked Questions
SECP company registration is the legal process through which a company is incorporated under the Companies Act, 2017. After approval, SECP issues a Certificate of Incorporation confirming that the company has been formed as a separate legal entity.
The process includes company name reservation, subscriber information, director details, share capital, business objects and registered office information.
Pakistani citizens, overseas Pakistanis, foreign nationals and corporate entities may register or invest in a Pakistani company, subject to applicable documentation and regulatory requirements.
One person may establish an SMC, while two or more persons may establish a Private Limited Company. Foreign ownership may require additional documents, undertakings and security processing.
Yes. One person may register a Single Member Company.
The sole member may ordinarily hold all shares and may also act as a director and chief executive. The company must also provide nominee details in accordance with the applicable SMC requirements.
A Private Limited Company requires at least two members.
The members may hold equal or unequal shares. They may also act as directors, but share ownership and authority to manage the company should be planned separately.
Yes. SECP provides an electronic incorporation process through eZfile.
The application, supporting information and payment are submitted online, while subscribers and officers may need to complete digital or electronic verification. Foreign or regulated cases may require additional documents and approvals.
Our professional fee starts from PKR 30,000 for a standard SMC or Private Limited Company and from PKR 40,000 where foreign shareholding is involved.
SECP government fees are separate and depend on share capital, filing method and other applicable charges.
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SECP and FBR have an integrated facility under which company information may be transferred for NTN registration.
However, the company should verify its FBR profile after incorporation and correct any missing address, contact, principal officer or business information.
No. Incorporation or NTN registration does not automatically place the company on the Active Taxpayers List.
The company must file its income tax return and comply with applicable tax obligations to obtain and maintain active taxpayer status.
Yes. Overseas Pakistanis may register an SMC or Private Limited Company using their CNIC, NICOP or other applicable identification.
They may not need to visit Pakistan for every stage, but electronic verification and accurate subscriber information remain necessary.
Foreign ownership may be permitted in many sectors, subject to sector restrictions, documentation, security requirements and foreign investment rules.
The proposed business activity should be reviewed before assuming that full foreign ownership is allowed without approval.
Not in every case.
A Pakistani company having foreign shareholders is different from a branch or liaison office of a foreign company. Board of Investment permission is particularly relevant where an existing overseas company intends to establish a branch or liaison office in Pakistan.
An SMC has one member, while a Private Limited Company has at least two members.
Both are incorporated with SECP and have separate legal status. The appropriate choice depends on the number of founders, investment plans and desired ownership structure.
Pakistan does not ordinarily use the American LLC designation under its Companies Act.
A person seeking limited liability may consider an SMC, Private Limited Company or Limited Liability Partnership, depending on the ownership and business model.
A genuine residential address may sometimes be used as the registered office, subject to the nature of the business, lease restrictions, building rules and regulatory requirements.
The address should be accessible for official correspondence and should not be fictitious.
Yes. A company may change its name after reserving the proposed new name, obtaining the required corporate approvals and completing the prescribed SECP procedure.
Contracts, tax records, bank accounts and licences may also need to be updated after the change.
Yes. Shares may be transferred subject to the Companies Act, Articles of Association, shareholder agreements and applicable corporate procedures.
The transfer may require approval, transfer documents, statutory record updates, share certificate changes and prescribed filings.
Audit and financial-statement requirements depend on the company’s type, size, capital and applicable statutory provisions.
A company should obtain accounting and legal advice rather than assuming that incorporation eliminates audit or annual filing obligations.
The applicant may submit another proposed name or respond to the registrar’s observation where clarification is possible.
Providing three distinctive names at the beginning reduces delay. Restricted, generic or misleading names should be avoided.
After incorporation, the company should verify its NTN, open a corporate bank account, issue shares, prepare statutory records and assess tax, accounting, employment and licensing requirements.
It must also comply with continuing SECP and FBR filing obligations.