SECP has moved almost the entire company registration process online. What used to take a month now takes days — provided the paperwork is right the first time. This walkthrough covers everything from the first name-availability search to the day your first invoice is compliant.
1. Choose the structure
Options: Single Member Company (SMC) — one shareholder, limited liability; Private Limited Company (Pvt Ltd) — 2 to 50 shareholders, most common; Limited Liability Partnership (LLP) — partnership with limited liability; Public Limited Company — for capital raising from the public. For most founders, Pvt Ltd is the correct default.
2. Step 1 — Name reservation
Search the SECP name-availability database. Avoid names that are generic, prohibited under the Regulations, or too similar to registered marks. Application for name reservation is filed online; approval is typically same-day for compliant names.
3. Step 2 — Incorporation documents
Form 1 (declaration of compliance), Memorandum of Association (objects clause, authorised capital, subscribers), Articles of Association (internal governance), CNIC/passport copies of directors and subscribers, and the reserved-name confirmation. Foreign shareholders require additional KYC and, in select sectors, security clearance.
4. Step 3 — Certificate of incorporation
On filing, SECP reviews and — subject to compliance — issues the certificate of incorporation. From this date the company exists as a separate legal person. Digital signatures of directors are obtained in parallel for future SECP filings.
5. Step 4 — NTN and FBR registration
The company is registered for a National Tax Number (NTN) with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) through the Iris portal. NTN is required for banking, invoicing and tax filings. Sales-tax registration follows for businesses making taxable supplies.
6. Step 5 — Bank account
With certificate of incorporation, MoA/AoA, NTN and board resolution, a corporate bank account is opened. Foreign-shareholder companies need to observe SBP rules on foreign remittance of share subscription money via proceeds realisation certificate.
7. Step 6 — Post-incorporation compliance
PSEB registration (for IT companies), chamber of commerce membership, EOBI and Sindh social-security registration (on hiring), and annual SECP filings (Form A, Form 29) begin from the first year. Missing these produces avoidable penalties later.
8. Founders' documentation
In parallel with incorporation, execute the shareholders' agreement (drag-along, tag-along, vesting, pre-emption), IP assignment deed (from founders to company), and employment/consulting agreements. These are the documents investors will diligence at the first fundraise — get them right at day one.
KKR Associates provides end-to-end incorporation — SECP, FBR, bank, and founders' pack — on a fixed-fee basis.