Company Registration in Pakistan — What the Process Covers
Company registration in Pakistan is governed primarily by the Companies Act, 2017 and the Companies Regulations, 2024. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan regulates incorporation, while the Federal Board of Revenue receives company data through the SECP-FBR integration for NTN issuance.
Company structure and ownership review
Company name selection and reservation
SECP eZfile incorporation
Shareholder and director particulars
Memorandum and Articles particulars
Authorised and paid-up capital planning
Principal line of business review
Company NTN confirmation
Foreign shareholder documentation
Post-incorporation corporate and tax guidance
Company Registration in Pakistan by City
Advocates of Pakistan handles company registration in Pakistan through city-focused pages so local office details, service information and regional follow-up do not get mixed into the national page.
Company Registration in Karachi
Karachi-focused company incorporation, fees, eZfile process, Sindh registrations and local corporate-law support.
Company Registration in Islamabad
Company formation and SECP assistance for Islamabad-based founders, consultants and corporate offices.
Company Registration in Rawalpindi
Company registration assistance for Rawalpindi businesses, contractors, service providers and expanding enterprises.
Company Registration in Lahore
Company formation support for Lahore startups, industrial businesses, traders and professional firms.
Private Limited Company Registration in Pakistan
A Private Limited Company is commonly used where two or more founders want a separate corporate entity with defined shareholding and limited liability. It is frequently selected by startups, software companies, consultancies, family businesses, trading companies, importers, exporters and investor-backed ventures.
Before incorporation, the founders should settle ownership percentages, directors, management control, capital and the principal line of business. Where founder rights, intellectual property, future funding or exit arrangements matter, a shareholders' or founders' agreement may also be appropriate.
Single Member Company Registration in Pakistan
A Single Member Company allows one founder to operate through a separate company. It may suit a consultant, freelancer, trader, technology professional, e-commerce owner or investor who wants corporate status rather than a sole proprietorship.
An SMC remains a company and carries continuing corporate obligations. It should therefore be selected because the company structure is useful, not merely because registration is available.
SECP eZfile Company Registration Process in Pakistan
Choose the Structure
Confirm whether the business should be a Private Limited Company, SMC, public company, LLP or another structure.
Prepare eZfile Accounts
Directors and subscribers provide accurate identity, mobile and email details for the SECP digital process and electronic signing.
Reserve the Company Name
The proposed name, significance and principal line of business are reviewed before filing.
Complete Incorporation Particulars
Shareholding, directors, capital, business activity and registered-office information are entered and supporting documents are prepared.
Sign, Submit and Pay
The application is electronically signed and the applicable SECP fee is paid.
Receive the Certificate and Confirm NTN
After approval, the digitally signed Certificate of Incorporation is issued. In the normal course, incorporation data is passed to FBR and the company NTN is issued through the SECP-FBR integration when the information is complete and accurate.
Documents for Company Registration in Pakistan
The exact documentation varies by company type, ownership and nationality. A standard Pakistani-owned company commonly requires:
CNIC particulars of directors and subscribers
Active mobile numbers and email addresses
Proposed company names and their significance
Principal line of business
Shareholding percentages
Authorised and paid-up capital details
Registered office or correspondence address
Beneficial ownership information where required
Foreign individuals and foreign corporate shareholders require additional documents. Papers executed abroad may need apostille, notarisation, diplomatic authentication or certified translation depending on the document and jurisdiction.
Company NTN and FBR Compliance After Incorporation
In the normal course, SECP forwards incorporation data to FBR and the company NTN is issued through the integrated process when the information supplied is complete and accurate. A separate NTN application is therefore not normally required simply because a new company has been incorporated.
What remains after incorporation is ongoing tax compliance: Iris access and profile review, withholding obligations where applicable, sales-tax registration where required, annual income-tax returns and other registrations linked to the company's activities.
For taxpayer assistance, see our NTN registration and verification service and tax registration and compliance services.
Company Registration in Pakistan With Foreign Shareholders
Foreign individuals and foreign companies may hold shares in many Pakistani businesses, subject to sector-specific restrictions and regulatory requirements. The documentation should be reviewed before execution because foreign ownership can affect undertakings, corporate documents, authentication, banking and completion time.
Where documents are executed abroad, the applicable apostille, notarisation, diplomatic or legalisation requirements should be confirmed before filing rather than corrected after rejection.
Company Registration Fees in Pakistan
Government incorporation charges depend on the company type, authorised capital and the current SECP fee schedule. Because official schedules may change, government charges should be confirmed on the filing date rather than hard-coded into a national page without verification.
Professional legal fees depend on the structure, number and nationality of shareholders, drafting requirements, regulated activities and any work required after incorporation. Karachi-specific professional fees are listed on our Company Registration in Karachi page.
Why Use Corporate Lawyers for Company Registration in Pakistan?
The SECP filing itself is only one part of formation. The legal consequences of ownership percentages, voting control, directorship, business objects, founder rights, foreign participation and continuing compliance can last for years.
Advocates of Pakistan therefore treats company incorporation as a corporate-law assignment rather than data entry. Clients can continue with the same legal team for shareholder agreements, commercial contracts, changes in directors or ownership, trademark protection, taxation and corporate compliance.
Learn more about our professional background on the About Advocates of Pakistan page.
Frequently Asked Questions About Company Registration in Pakistan
How much does company registration cost in Pakistan?
The total cost depends on company type, authorised capital, current SECP fees and the professional work required. Government charges should be confirmed against the current official schedule at filing.
How long does company incorporation take?
A straightforward case may often be completed within a few working days after the name, documents and signing requirements are ready. Foreign documentation, regulated activities and SECP observations can add time.
Is NTN automatic after company registration?
In the normal course, yes. SECP forwards incorporation data to FBR and the company NTN is issued through the integrated process when the information is complete and accurate. Sales-tax and other tax registrations are separate.
Can one person register a company in Pakistan?
Yes. A single founder may form a Single Member Company subject to the applicable SMC requirements.
Can a foreigner own shares in a Pakistani company?
Yes in many sectors, subject to sector-specific restrictions, documentation and regulatory approvals where applicable.
Can company registration be handled online?
Yes. SECP provides the eZfile digital incorporation process, although the facts and documents still need to be prepared correctly.
Do I need a lawyer to register a company?
Self-filing is possible for a simple case. Lawyer-led formation is particularly useful where there are multiple founders, foreign shareholders, regulated business activities or significant founder-right and investment issues.
Primary Regulatory Sources
Company registration in Pakistan is governed by the Companies Act, 2017 and the Companies Regulations, 2024, with related rules depending on the structure and activity. Official corporate and tax information should be checked against the current regulator material.
Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) · Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)