Company Registration in Pakistan — Complete SECP Guide (2026)

Whether you're launching a small consultancy, a trading business, or a tech startup, registering your company officially is the first real legal step toward operating in Pakistan. The good news: the process is now almost entirely online through SECP, and it's more affordable than most first-time founders expect. Here's exactly how it works.

Last updated: 2026

Who Handles Company Registration in Pakistan?

All company registration in Pakistan is handled by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), under the Companies Act, 2017. SECP is the sole federal registrar for all company types — there's no separate provincial registration process for incorporating a company itself (though you'll still need provincial tax registrations afterward, depending on your business type).

Choosing Your Business Structure First

Before registering, you need to decide which structure fits your business:

• Sole Proprietorship — simplest option, one owner, no separate legal entity from the owner
• Partnership — two or more people sharing ownership and liability
• Single Member Company (SMC) — a company with just one director/shareholder, but with limited liability protection
• Private Limited Company — the most common choice for startups; requires at least 2 directors and 2 shareholders, offers limited liability

Your choice affects your liability, tax treatment, and how easily you can raise investment later, so it's worth thinking through rather than defaulting to whichever seems fastest.

Step-by-Step Registration Process

1. Reserve your company name — search and reserve a unique name through SECP's online portal. Name reservation costs approximately Rs. 200 and the name is typically held for 60 days while you complete registration.
2. Prepare your documents — this includes:

• CNIC copies of all directors/shareholders (or NICOP/passport for overseas Pakistanis)
• Memorandum of Association (MoA) — outlines your business's objectives and sector
• Articles of Association (AoA) — outlines directors' roles and responsibilities

1. Create an SECP e-Services account — a one-time user registration fee of around Rs. 100 applies when submitting your first filing.
2. Submit your incorporation application online — complete the form with company details, registered office address, and share structure through SECP's portal.
3. Pay the registration fee — via debit/credit card, online bank transfer, or a designated bank challan.
4. Receive your Certificate of Incorporation — issued digitally once SECP reviews and approves your application.

How Much Does It Cost?

For online filing at the minimum authorized capital (Rs. 100,000), the total SECP government fee typically comes to around Rs. 1,500–2,500, covering name reservation and incorporation. This amount increases as your authorized share capital increases — SECP publishes an official fee calculator on its portal if you want an exact figure for your specific capital amount.

Important: Filing online is significantly cheaper than filing offline/in-person, which is why the vast majority of new companies now register through SECP's online portal rather than visiting a Company Registration Office in person.

How Long Does It Take?

Most straightforward applications with complete documentation are processed within 3–5 working days. Incomplete or incorrectly filled documents are the most common cause of delays, so double-checking your MoA, AoA, and CNIC details before submission saves time.

What Happens After Registration?

Getting your Certificate of Incorporation isn't the final step — a few things typically follow:

• FBR NTN registration — you'll need a National Tax Number to operate legally and file taxes. Once registered, check out our guide on checking your FBR filer status to stay compliant and avoid higher withholding tax rates.
• Opening a business bank account — most banks require your incorporation certificate as a prerequisite
• Sales tax registration — required if your business type falls under FBR's sales tax net
• Sector-specific licenses — depending on your industry, additional provincial or federal licenses may apply

Should You Register Yourself or Hire a Consultant?

Registering directly through SECP's portal yourself is entirely possible and saves money — the government fees alone are quite low. That said, many first-time founders choose to use a consultant (typically costing anywhere from Rs. 15,000–60,000 including all post-registration steps) mainly to avoid document errors that could delay approval, and to handle the FBR/bank account setup that follows registration.

If your business structure is simple (like an SMC or straightforward Pvt Ltd with no unusual share arrangements), doing it yourself through the SECP portal is a realistic option for saving cost.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much does it cost to register a company in Pakistan?

 For minimum authorized capital (Rs. 100,000), SECP's government fee typically totals Rs. 1,500–2,500 online, covering name reservation and incorporation.

How long does SECP company registration take?

 Most complete applications are processed within 3–5 working days, though incomplete documents can cause delays.

What's the difference between an SMC and a Private Limited Company?

 An SMC (Single Member Company) has just one director/shareholder, while a Private Limited Company requires at least 2 directors and 2 shareholders — both offer limited liability protection.

Do I need a consultant to register my company? 

Not necessarily — if your structure is simple (like an SMC or straightforward Pvt Ltd), you can register yourself through the SECP portal and save the consultant fee, which typically ranges from Rs. 15,000–60,000.

Conclusion

Registering a company in Pakistan has become a largely digital, straightforward process through SECP — reserve your name, prepare your MoA/AoA and CNIC documents, submit online, and pay a relatively modest government fee. For most small businesses, the entire process from name reservation to receiving your Certificate of Incorporation takes under a week if your documents are in order. Whether you handle it yourself or bring in a consultant mainly comes down to how comfortable you are navigating the paperwork versus paying for convenience.

Note: SECP fees and requirements are subject to periodic revision. Always confirm current fees and required documents on SECP's official portal before submitting your application.

Written by Nasir Khan, Founder of InfoBazar-PK