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How to register a society in Pakistan

How to register a society in Pakistan

Registering a society in Pakistan is a process that involves legal procedures and formalities. A society is a non-profit organization formed for the promotion of charitable, religious, cultural, educational, or social welfare purposes. The Societies Registration Act, 1860, governs the registration of societies in Pakistan. In this article, we will discuss the process of registering a society in Pakistan in 1200 words, including definitions and examples.

 

Definition of Society

A society is a non-profit organization formed for promoting charitable, religious, cultural, educational, or social welfare purposes. It is a voluntary association of individuals who come together for a common cause. The members of a society may be individuals, companies, or other organizations.

 

Definition of Societies Registration Act, 1860

The Societies Registration Act, 1860, is an act passed by the British Indian government for the registration of societies in India. The act was adopted by Pakistan after the partition of India in 1947. The act provides the legal framework for the registration of societies in Pakistan.

 

Process of Registering a Society in Pakistan

The process of registering a society in Pakistan involves the following steps:

Step 1: Choose a Name for the Society

The first step in registering a society in Pakistan is to choose a name for the society. The name should be unique and not similar to the names of other registered societies in Pakistan. The name should also reflect the nature and objectives of the society.

For example, if the society is formed for the promotion of education, the name should include the word “education” or “educational” in it, such as “ABC Educational Society.”

Step 2: Draft Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations

The next step is to draft the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations of the society. The Memorandum of Association is a document that contains the name, objectives, and registered office of the society. The Rules and Regulations are a set of rules that govern the functioning of the society.

The Memorandum of Association should include the following:

Name of the society

Objectives of the society

Registered office of the society

Details of the members of the society

Details of the governing body of the society

The Rules and Regulations should include the following:

Membership rules

Management rules

Rules for holding meetings

Rules for the appointment and removal of office bearers

Rules for the management of finances

Step 3: Hold a Meeting to Approve the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations

The next step is to hold a meeting of the members of the society to approve the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations. The meeting should be attended by at least seven members of the society. The Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations should be approved by a two-thirds majority of the members present at the meeting.

Step 4: Prepare and File the Application for Registration

After the approval of the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, the next step is to prepare the application for registration. The application should be prepared in duplicate and should include the following:

Name of the society

Objectives of the society

Registered office of the society

Details of the members of the society

Details of the governing body of the society

Certified copy of the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations

Minutes of the meeting approving the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations

The application should be signed by the President and Secretary of the society.

Step 5: Submission of Application for Registration

The next step is to submit the application for registration to the Registrar of Societies. The Registrar of Societies is the government official responsible for registering societies in Pakistan. The application should be submitted along with the required fee

Step 6: Verification by Registrar of Societies

After the submission of the application, the Registrar of Societies will verify the application and the documents submitted. The Registrar may also conduct an inspection of the registered office of the society. If the Registrar is satisfied with the documents and the inspection, he/she will register the society.

Step 7: Issuance of Certificate of Registration

After the registration of the society, the Registrar of Societies will issue a Certificate of Registration. The Certificate of Registration will include the name of the society, its objectives, its registered office, and the date of its registration.

Step 8: Opening Bank Account and Obtaining Tax Exemption

After the registration of the society, the society can open a bank account in its name. The society can also apply for tax exemption from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001.

Step 9: Maintaining Records and Filing Annual Returns

After the registration of the society, the society is required to maintain records of its activities and finances. The society is also required to file annual returns with the Registrar of Societies. The annual returns should include details of the activities and finances of the society for the previous year.

 

Conclusion

Registering a society in Pakistan is a process that involves legal procedures and formalities. The Societies Registration Act, 1860, governs the registration of societies in Pakistan. The process of registering a society in Pakistan includes choosing a name for the society, drafting the Memorandum of Association and Rules and Regulations, holding a meeting to approve the documents, preparing and filing the application for registration, submitting the application to the Registrar of Societies, verification by the Registrar of Societies, issuance of the Certificate of Registration, opening a bank account and obtaining tax exemption, maintaining records, and filing annual returns.