Company registration
Company Registration in Pakistan: Complete SECP Process
Register a company through SECP eZfile: choose the company type, reserve a name, enter capital and stakeholder data, sign, pay and obtain the NTN.
Register a company through SECP eZfile: choose the company type, reserve a name, enter capital and stakeholder data, sign, pay and obtain the NTN.
Choose the legal structure before starting
A company is a separate legal entity, unlike a sole proprietorship. Under SECP's guidance, one member can form a single-member company, two or more persons can form a private company, and three or more can form a public company, subject to the Companies Act 2017 and applicable regulations. Also consider an LLP or an AOP where appropriate. Ownership, governance, tax, funding and compliance differ, so make this choice before reserving a name.
What to prepare for SECP company registration
Prepare valid CNIC or NICOP details for Pakistani subscribers, directors and the chief executive; passport and required attestations for foreign participants; mobile numbers linked to the relevant CNICs; email and residential details; the registered-office or correspondence address; principal line of business; authorised and paid-up capital; share allocation; and any required NOC or licence for a specialised activity. Each subscriber may need a separate eZfile user ID and PIN to sign digitally.
Step 1: create an eZfile account and PIN
Use SECP's current eZfile login reached from the official company-registration page. Sign up under the correct Pakistani, overseas or foreign-user category and complete verification. SECP's promoter guide says the PIN sent during user registration is used to sign name-reservation and incorporation applications. Do not let an intermediary retain sole control of subscriber accounts, email addresses or PINs.
Step 2: choose combined or standalone filing
eZfile offers a standalone name-reservation process and a combined name-reservation and incorporation process. The combined process is normally more direct when the incorporation details are ready. If a name is already reserved, use the start-company option for incorporation. Select the correct company kind because subscriber, director and governance requirements depend on it.
Step 3: propose and check the company name
Enter at least one proposed name and, if useful, up to two alternatives in priority order. Use the availability check, explain the name's significance where relevant and attach evidence for a coined, affiliated or restricted expression. The system check is not final approval: the registrar decides availability. Avoid a name that is identical or confusingly similar, deceptive, offensive, prohibited, or inconsistent with the principal business.
Step 4: enter business, capital and office information
Select the sector and principal line of business; the system uses these choices to populate business objects for the memorandum. Add permitted additional objects only when genuinely relevant. Enter authorised capital, paid-up capital, registered or correspondence address and company contacts. SECP's promoter guide explains that authorised capital is the maximum share capital allowed by the memorandum, while paid-up capital is the amount actually taken by members.
Step 5: add stakeholders and shareholdings
Add each director, subscriber and chief executive with identity, nationality, occupation, role, address, share class and number of shares. Validate user information and attach the documents requested for the stakeholder type. For a body-corporate subscriber, provide its incorporation information and authorised nominee. Confirm that share totals, paid-up capital and each subscriber's commitment agree before moving on.
Step 6: review constitutional and third-party information
Review the system-generated Articles of Association and Memorandum of Association, amending the articles only where appropriate and with informed advice. Complete the information requested for FBR NTN registration, including address, accounting period and principal activity. eZfile also presents optional connections to certain labour, social-security and provincial departments; select them only when applicable and verify the resulting obligations.
Step 7: apply PINs, submit and pay the fee
All subscribers apply their valid PINs, after which the authorised signatory or intermediary applies the declarant PIN and submits the application. Pay the generated fee by the channels currently offered in eZfile, such as card or 1Bill/PSID methods. Fees vary with filing and capital, so use SECP's current fee calculator rather than copying a figure from an old blog post. Track objections or requests for correction on the dashboard and respond within the stated time.
What you receive after approval
On approval, SECP issues a digital Certificate of Incorporation with a QR code by email and through eZfile. The promoter guide says SECP forwards collected data to FBR for the company's NTN registration and that FBR credentials are sent to the chief executive. Verify the NTN and secure the credentials instead of assuming the certificate alone completes every tax step. Read our NTN verification guide for the official checks.
Post-incorporation checklist
Hold the required organisational and board actions, issue and record shares, establish statutory registers, open and operate the company bank account, maintain accounting records and identify beneficial-ownership, annual-return, financial-statement, income-tax, withholding, sales-tax, labour and sector-specific obligations that apply. Incorporation creates an ongoing compliance calendar; it is not a one-time certificate purchase.
When professional help is sensible
Use a qualified corporate or tax adviser for foreign ownership, regulated activities, unusual share rights, investment documentation, not-for-profit licensing, group structures or disagreements between founders. If using an SECP-registered intermediary, review every field and attachment before anyone signs. Subscribers remain responsible for knowing what is filed on their behalf.
Official sources and review note
Reviewed against these official public sources on 2 November 2026. Portal labels and requirements can change. This article is educational information, not tax or legal advice; confirm the current official process and advice applicable to your facts.