Are There Consultants Who Assist With Company Registration In Pakistan?

Yes, the entire process of Company Registration In Pakistan can now be completed digitally, thanks to the reforms introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP). The SECP has developed an online platform called the eServices portal, which allows entrepreneurs to register companies from anywhere in the country — or even from abroad — without the need to physically visit any office. This digital transformation is part of the government’s broader efforts to promote ease of doing business, reduce paperwork, and eliminate bureaucratic delays.

1. SECP’s eServices Portal: The Digital Hub

The SECP's eServices portal is the central digital platform for company registration. Through this portal, individuals can perform the following tasks entirely online:

• Name reservation

• Company incorporation

• Payment of fees

• Digital signature application

• Filing statutory returns and post-incorporation changes

The portal supports the registration of various types of companies, including Private Limited Companies, Single Member Companies (SMC), Public Limited Companies, and Non-Profit Associations.

2. Steps in the Digital Registration Process

a) Name Reservation

The first step is reserving a unique name for the company. This is done through the eServices portal by submitting an application and paying a small fee via the online payment system or bank challan.

b) Digital Signature

To use the portal, applicants must obtain a digital signature certificate issued by NIFT (National Institutional Facilitation Technologies). This enables secure signing of documents submitted online.

Company Registration In Pakistan

c) Filing of Incorporation Documents

Once the name is approved, the next step is to upload the incorporation documents, including:

• Memorandum of Association (MoA)

• Articles of Association (AoA)

• Form 29 (Particulars of Directors)

• Form 21 (Address of the Registered Office)

• Copies of CNICs or passports of directors and subscribers

All documents are submitted and signed electronically using the digital certificate.

d) Payment of Fees

The fee of Company Registration In Pakistan can be paid online using debit/credit cards or bank challans. The portal also calculates the fee automatically based on company type and capital.

e) Issuance of Certificate of Incorporation

Once the SECP verifies and approves the application, a Certificate of Incorporation is issued digitally. This certificate serves as proof that the company is legally registered in Pakistan.

3. Post-Incorporation Processes Also Available Online

The digital process does not end with company registration. Several post-incorporation compliance tasks can also be completed through the SECP eServices portal, such as:

• Filing annual returns

• Change in directors or registered office

• Increase in authorized capital

• Conversion of company structure

This digital functionality reduces the need for in-person visits and helps companies stay compliant efficiently.

4. Integration with FBR and Other Government Platforms

After registration with SECP, companies must also register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to obtain a National Tax Number (NTN). This process is also fully digital through the FBR’s IRIS portal. Similarly, sales tax registration (if required) is conducted online.

Moreover, integration is underway between SECP and other platforms for import/export businesses, and provincial revenue authorities for services tax registration.

5. Support for Foreign Investors

Foreign nationals or companies can also use the SECP’s digital platform for registration. However, they are typically required to appoint a registered agent or local representative to assist in the process, especially for handling physical verification of documents or translations.

Company Registration In Pakistan

6. Benefits of Digital Registration

The digital registration process offers several key benefits:

• Speed: Companies can be registered in as little as 1–2 days.

• Conveiennce: No need to visit SECP offices.

• Transparency: Reduced human interaction minimizes corruption and delays.

• Cost-Effectiveness: Lower administrative costs due to fewer intermediaries.

Conclusion

Pakistan has made significant progress in enabling the complete digitization of the company registration process. Through the Hamza & Hamza Law Associates’s eServices portal and integration with other government systems, entrepreneurs can now register and manage companies entirely online. This shift not only simplifies business entry but also aligns Pakistan with international standards for ease of doing business. As digital adoption increases, more reforms and improvements are expected, making the registration process even more seamless in the future.