The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) administers company registration under the Companies Act, 2017. The entire process is now online via eServices, but each filing has substantive legal implications that benefit from corporate counsel.
1. Choose the right vehicle
Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) — 2 to 50 shareholders, separate legal personality, easy capital raising, suitable for most SMEs.
Single-Member Company (SMC) — one shareholder, ideal for solo founders who want limited liability without partners.
Public Limited Company — minimum 7 shareholders, more onerous compliance, used for listed entities.
2. Name reservation
A unique name is reserved through SECP eServices. SECP rejects names that are deceptive, identical to existing companies, or contain restricted words (e.g. ‘Bank’, ‘Government’, ‘University’) without sectoral approval.
3. Incorporation documents
Memorandum of Association (objects), Articles of Association (governance), Form 1 (declaration), Form 21 (registered office), Form 29 (directors), CNICs of subscribers and directors.
Foreign directors require additional documents: passport, CV, security clearance.
4. Certificate of Incorporation
On approval, SECP issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation, allotting the company a unique CUIN (Corporate Unique Identification Number). The company comes into existence from this date.
5. NTN and bank account
Within 30 days the company should be registered with FBR for NTN, and a corporate bank account opened. Most banks require the original Certificate, MOA/AOA, board resolution and director KYC.
6. Ongoing compliance
Annual returns, statutory registers, board minutes, AGM, and Form-29 (changes in directors) are mandatory. Non-compliance attracts SECP penalties.
Last updated: 2 February 2026
