How to Register a Private Limited Company in Pakistan – Updated 2025 Guide
With the government’s renewed emphasis on promoting startups, digital enterprises, and formal economic activity, starting a business in Pakistan has never been more promising. If you’re an entrepreneur looking to expand your business, attract investors, or build a trustworthy brand, registering a Private Limited Company (Pvt. Ltd.) might be your best choice.
This guide covers all you need to know about establishing a private limited company in Pakistan in 2025, including the required documentation, benefits, and prerequisites.
A Private Limited Company: What Is It?
A private limited company is a valid business entity that is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) in line with the Companies Act of 2017. It provides its shareholders with limited liability protection, which shields their private assets from debts or losses incurred by the company.
It can be registered as:
- For a single individual, a Single Member Company (SMC)
- A private limited company needs two directors and at least two shareholders.
Why Choose a Private Limited Company?
If you want to grow your business, raise capital, and become a credible business person with a solid reputation, a private limited company is the ideal structure. This is so because:
✔ Legal Recognition: Builds trust among customers, investors, and banks
✔ Limited Liability: Protects private assets from business loans
✔ Professional Image: Necessary for contracting governments or business-to-business transactions
✔ Scalability: Facilitates easy growth and addition of partners or capital
✔ Access to Investment: Facilitates easy access to bank loans or venture capital
✔ Continuity: Ownership changes do not impact the running of the business.
Who Must Register as a Pvt. Ltd.?
Businesses seeking to recruit partners or investors; manufacturing and exporting companies; tech startups and e-commerce companies; agencies or firms hoping to work with the government or major clients; professionals and freelancers hoping to grow into a full team or agency.
Private Limited Company Registration Requirements
The following prerequisites must be met to begin the registration process:
Regarding a Pvt. Ltd. business:
- A minimum of two shareholders or directors, who might be the same individuals
- CNIC copies of each director’s or shareholder’s passport or NICOP
- Office address and business goal
- A SECP-approved business name that must be unique and authentic
- The shareholder’s current phone number and email address, which must appear on CNIC
• The paid-up capital, which normally starts at PKR 100,000.
Regarding a Single Member Company (SMC):
• CNIC copies of the nominee and the CEO;
- One nominee (who needs to be a blood relative, like a parent, sibling, spouse, or child).
- CEO’s and Nominee’s current phone number and email address (number should be registered on CNIC);
- Business objective and office address
- Paid-up capital, usually worth PKR 100,000.
A Complete Guide to Pakistani Pvt. Ltd. Company Registration (2025)
Step 1: Name Reservation
To apply for name availability, use eServices, SECP’s online platform. The name shouldn’t be confusing or sound too much like the name of an existing business.
Step 2: Document Preparation
- Draft AOA (internal management rules)
- Draft MOA (business operations of the company)
- Get your passports and CNICs ready and confirm your address
- Form I
Step 3: Making an online submission using SECP eServices
Fill out the online incorporation form, send in supporting paperwork, and pay electronically
Step 4: Certificate of Company Incorporation
The Certificate of Incorporation is then released by SECP after verification. Your business is now legally incorporated in Pakistan because of it.
Step 5: Obtain NTN of FBR
Your company’s IRIS login details and National Tax Number (NTN) are automatically created by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) upon issuance of your Certificate of Incorporation by SECP. This NTN is required to file tax, open a business account in the bank, and have yourself registered on the Active Taxpayers List (ATL).
Step 6: Register for sales tax, if applicable.
If your business is selling taxable services or goods, you must register your business with sales tax in the FBR.
Step 7: Open a business bank account
Open a business account using certified true copies of your company’s Certificate of Incorporation, NTN, and letterhead.
Documents you receive:
- The Certificate of Incorporation,
- NTN Certificate,
- MOA & AOA,
- Form I,
- SECP Login Access,
- TRC (Taxpayer Registration Certificate).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
- Can a foreign national be a director of a Pakistani Pvt. Ltd. company?
Directors and shareholders may be foreign nationals. They must, however, submit copies of their passports and comply with residency and visa formalities.
- Do I need a physical office for registration?
Yes, a working business address is required for legal considerations.
- Is SECP registration sufficient to begin a business?
No. Apart from being fully compliant, you will also require FBR NTN and, in a few instances, sales tax registration.
Final thoughts
The government’s additional focus in 2025 towards documentation of tax and formalization of business makes a Private Limited Company registration a wise and scalable choice. Becoming a Pvt. Ltd. provides you with higher monetary opportunities, legal redressal, and competitive edge, if you are launching a technology startup or systematizing your small business.
Do You Need Help Signing Up for FBR and SECP?
At Corptax Solutions, we simplify the process of registration and ensure that you are compliant with all FBR, SECP, and tax laws in Pakistan.
Visit CorptaxSolutions.com.
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