Starting a business in Pakistan requires complying with several legal and procedural steps, with documentation being one of the most crucial components. The type of documents required varies depending on the nature of the business, whether it is a sole proprietorship, partnership firm, private limited company, or nonprofit organization.
Knowing the exact documents needed can help streamline the registration process, reduce delays, and ensure compliance with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), and other relevant authorities. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the documents required for various types of business registrations in Pakistan.
Regulatory Authorities Involved in Registration
Before discussing documents, it’s important to understand the primary regulatory bodies involved:
-
SECP: Regulates company incorporation (private, public, SMC, Section 42)
-
FBR: Issues National Tax Numbers (NTN), Sales Tax Registration Numbers (STRN)
-
Registrar of Firms: Handles partnership firm registration
-
Chambers of Commerce and Industry: Issues business membership certificates
-
Provincial Departments: Handle professional tax and labor registration
Documents for Sole Proprietorship Registration
A sole proprietorship does not require SECP registration. The basic requirements are focused on tax and trade registrations.
Required Documents
-
Owner’s CNIC (Copy)
-
Recent Passport-size Photograph
-
Business Letterhead or Business Card
-
Office Address Proof (Utility bill or rent agreement)
-
Mobile Number and Email Address
-
Bank Account Title and IBAN (optional)
-
Business Name and Nature of Business
-
Application for NTN (via FBR portal)
-
Chamber of Commerce Membership (if needed)
Additional for Sales Tax Registration
-
Rent agreement/ownership documents
-
Utility bills (electricity, gas)
-
Photos of business premises
-
GPS-tagged images (uploaded via FBR app)
Documents for Partnership Firm Registration
Partnership firms are registered under the Partnership Act, 1932 with the Registrar of Firms of the concerned provincial government.
Required Documents
-
Partnership Deed (on Stamp Paper)
-
Form-I (Application for registration)
-
CNIC Copies of All Partners
-
Recent Photographs of Partners
-
Business Address Proof
-
Rent Agreement or Ownership Proof
-
Bank Account Title and IBAN
-
Affidavit by Partners for Non-contravention of Law
-
Payment of Registration Fee (through Challan)
-
Witness Signatures on Partnership Deed
For FBR NTN
-
CNIC of principal partner
-
Business letterhead
-
Nature of business
-
Chamber of Commerce membership (optional)
Documents for Private Limited Company Registration
Private limited companies are incorporated with SECP under the Companies Act, 2017 through the online eServices portal.
Pre-Incorporation (Name Reservation)
-
Proposed Company Name
-
CNIC Copies of Directors
-
Email and Mobile Numbers of Each Director
-
Fee Payment (PKR 1,000 for name reservation)
Incorporation Stage
-
Memorandum of Association (MoA)
-
Articles of Association (AoA)
-
Form-II (Details of Subscribers)
-
Form-III (Notice of Situation of Registered Office)
-
Form-IV (Particulars of First Directors)
-
Form-VII (Consent of Directors)
-
Form-29 (Particulars of Directors and Officers)
-
Scanned Signatures and Photographs of Directors
-
Payment Receipt (Challan)
-
Declaration of Compliance (Form 21)
For FBR NTN
-
Certificate of Incorporation
-
CNICs of directors
-
Company email and mobile number
-
Business address and utility bill
-
Company bank account (for STRN)
For Chamber of Commerce
-
Incorporation certificate
-
NTN certificate
-
Director’s CNIC
-
Company letterhead
-
Application form and fee
Documents for Single Member Company (SMC)
An SMC is a private company with one shareholder.
Required Documents
-
CNIC of Sole Member and Nominee
-
Memorandum and Articles of Association (specific SMC format)
-
Declaration of Nominee on Stamp Paper
-
All forms as required for private companies
-
Proof of Business Address
-
Digital Signatures for e-Services Submission
Documents for Public Limited Company
Public companies can raise capital from the public. The process is more rigorous.
Required Documents
-
Minimum 3 Directors’ CNIC Copies
-
Memorandum and Articles of Association
-
Prospectus or Statement in Lieu
-
Resolution for Appointment of CEO
-
SECP Approval for Prospectus (for listed companies)
-
Bank Account Evidence (for subscription money)
-
Challan of Fee Payment
-
Signed Forms including Form A, 29, and others
Documents for Non-Profit Company (Section 42)
Companies formed for charitable, religious, social, or educational purposes.
Required Documents
-
Application for License under Section 42
-
Memorandum and Articles of Association
-
Affidavit by Subscribers
-
Undertaking on Judicial Stamp Paper
-
Detailed Project Description or Business Plan
-
CNICs of All Directors
-
Digital Signature Certificates
-
Bank Account Details
-
NOC from Relevant Ministry (if required)
-
Resolution for Incorporation
-
Challan for Fee Payment (PKR 150,000 License Fee + Incorporation Fee)
Documents for Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
LLPs are hybrid entities registered with SECP.
Required Documents
-
LLP Agreement
-
Partners’ CNICs
-
Digital Signature
-
Name Reservation Application
-
Incorporation Forms (as per SECP template)
-
Business Address Proof
-
Fee Payment Challan
Documents for Foreign Company Registration
Foreign companies can register a branch, liaison office, or subsidiary in Pakistan.
Required Documents
-
Application Form with Covering Letter
-
Copy of Incorporation Certificate from Parent Country
-
Company Charter/Documents
-
Details of Directors
-
Board Resolution for Opening Office in Pakistan
-
Name and Address of Principal Officer in Pakistan
-
Authority Letter
-
Permission from Board of Investment (BOI)
-
Rent Agreement or Property Proof
-
Passport Copies (if foreign nationals involved)
Documents for Freelancers and IT Exporters (Optional Registration)
Many freelancers and IT service providers register their business to avail tax incentives and PSEB registration.
Required Documents
-
CNIC of Freelancer
-
Freelance Portfolio or Income Proof (e.g., Upwork, Fiverr)
-
Letterhead and Business Profile
-
NTN Registration via FBR
-
Bank Account Details
-
PSEB Registration Form (optional)
General Supporting Documents Required Across All Types
-
NTN Certificate (issued by FBR)
-
Utility Bills (not older than 3 months)
-
Scanned Signatures for SECP e-Services
-
Business Photographs (for STRN)
-
Bank Account Maintenance Certificate
-
Stamp Paper Declarations (for legal undertakings)
Digital Requirements for SECP Registration
-
Valid Email ID for SECP communication
-
Mobile Number (for OTP verification)
-
Digital Signature Certificate (from NIFT or other approved authorities)
-
Scanned Passport-size Photo
-
PDF copies of MoA, AoA, and relevant forms
Documents for Opening Business Bank Account
After registration, businesses are often required to open a separate bank account.
Required Documents for Companies
-
SECP Incorporation Certificate
-
NTN Certificate
-
MoA and AoA
-
Form A and 29
-
CNICs of all signatories
-
Board Resolution to open bank account
-
Company stamp and business letterhead
For Sole Proprietors
-
NTN certificate
-
CNIC
-
Business letterhead
-
Utility bill
-
Account opening request on letterhead
Conclusion
The documents required for business registration in Pakistan depend on the type and scale of business entity being formed. Sole proprietorships require minimal documentation, while companies, LLPs, and nonprofit organizations demand comprehensive paperwork, digital verification, and compliance with SECP regulations.
Sterling.pk offers professional assistance in compiling, verifying, and submitting all necessary documents for business registration in Pakistan. Whether you are starting a simple freelance business or launching a full-scale private company, our experts ensure your paperwork is complete, compliant, and approved without unnecessary delays.
