Loading...

SECP — Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan

Company Registration, Annual Returns, Corporate Governance & Compliance

Companies Act 2017 Online Incorporation CG Rules 2019 Annual Filing
Share:
Share:
Share:

Key Data & Rates

SECP Registration Fees
Fees for company registration Verified May 3, 2026
Company TypeSingle MemberPrivate LtdPublic Ltd Reference
Fee (PKR)1,00010,00020,000 Companies Act 2017, Section 247 ...
Filing Fee2005001,000 Companies Act 2017, Section 248 ...
Name Reservation505050 Companies Act 2017, Section 17 —...
Share:
Share:
Share:
SECP Compliance by Company Type
Annual filing obligations Verified May 3, 2026
RequirementSMCPrivate LtdPublic LtdFrequency Reference
Annual ReturnYearly Companies Act 2017, Section 248 ...
Financial StatementsYearly Companies Act 2017, Section 241 ...
Board MeetingN/AMin 4/yrMonthly Companies Act 2017, Section 180 ...
AuditOptionalRequiredRequiredYearly Companies Act 2017, Section 248 ...
Share:
Share:
Share:
Company Types & Registration
Types of companies registered under Companies Act 2017 via SECP Verified May 3, 2026
Company TypeMin MembersMax MembersKey RequirementsRegistration Reference
Single Member Company (SMC)111 director, MOA+AOAeZfile (leap.secp.gov.pk) Companies Act 2017, Section 2(27...
Private Limited250Min 2 directors, paid-up capital min PKR 100KeZfile Companies Act 2017, Section 2(28...
Public Limited7UnlimitedMin 3 directors, prospectus requiredeZfile Companies Act 2017, Section 2(30...
Section 42 (Non-Profit)Government license, no dividend distributionSECP direct Companies Act 2017, Section 42 —...
Limited Liability Partnership2UnlimitedDesignated partners, LLP agreementeZfile Companies Act 2017, Section 2(23...
Foreign CompanyRegistration within 30 days of establishmentSECP direct Companies Act 2017, Section 435 ...
Association Not-for-ProfitTrustees, charitable objectsSECP Companies Act 2017, Section 42 —...
Share:
Share:
Share:
SECP Licensing Sectors
Sectors requiring SECP licensing for operation Verified May 3, 2026
SectorLicense TypeKey Requirements Reference
Stock ExchangesExchange LicenseDemutualized structure, SECP approval SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, Secti...
Non-Bank Finance Companies (NBFCs)NBFC LicenseMinimum capital, fit & proper test SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, NBFC ...
REITsREIT LicenseAsset base requirements, trustee appointment SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, REIT ...
Private Equity/Venture CapitalPE/VC LicenseMinimum fund size, AML compliance SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, PE/VC...
Asset Management CompaniesAMC LicenseMinimum capital, SECP registration SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, AMC R...
ModarabasModaraba LicenseShariah compliance, registrar appointment SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, Modar...
Insurance CompaniesInsurance LicenseSolvency requirements, risk-based capital SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, Insur...
Takaful (Islamic Insurance)Takaful LicenseShariah advisory board, Takaful rules SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, Takaf...
Credit Rating AgenciesCRA LicenseMethodology approval, independence SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, CRA R...
Housing Finance CompaniesHFC LicenseCapital requirements, NBFCH regulations SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, HFC R...
Digital Lending NBFCsNBFC LicensePublished list of licensed apps on SECP site SECP Regulatory Laws 2008, NBFC ...
Share:
Share:
Share:
SECP Incorporation Fees
Company registration fees per SECP schedule Verified May 3, 2026
Company TypeRegistration Fee (Rs)Annual Fee (Rs)Notes Reference
Single Member Company (SMC)2,5002,500One person company Companies Act 2017, Section 247 ...
Private Limited2,5002,500Minimum 2 members Companies Act 2017, Section 247 ...
Public Limited (unlisted)10,00010,000Minimum 7 members Companies Act 2017, Section 247 ...
Public Limited (listed)20,00020,000Stock exchange listed Companies Act 2017, Section 247 ...
Foreign Company20,00020,000Branch/license office Companies Act 2017, Section 435 ...
Section 42 (Non-Profit)As applicableAs applicableCharitable/educational Companies Act 2017, Section 42 —...
LLP2,5001,000Limited Liability Partnership Companies Act 2017, Section 2(23...
Share:
Share:
Share:

SECP Company Registration Process

Step 1
Reserve Company Name
Share:

Check name availability on SECP eZfile portal (leap.secp.gov.pk)

Step 2
Prepare MOA & AOA
Share:

Draft Memorandum and Articles of Association per Companies Act 2017

Step 3
File Incorporation Application
Share:

Submit online via eZfile with required documents and fees

Step 4
Receive Certificate of Incorporation
Share:

SECP issues certificate within 2-3 working days

Step 5
Apply for NTN (FBR)
Share:

Register with FBR via IRIS to obtain National Tax Number

Step 6
Register for Sales Tax
Share:

Apply for sales tax registration if applicable via FBR IRIS

Step 7
Open Corporate Bank Account
Share:

Present SECP certificate, NTN, and MOA/AOA to bank

Step 8
Register with PSEB
Share:

Apply for PSEB IT company registration (required for 0.25% WHT)

Step 9
Register with Provincial Authority
Share:

Register for provincial sales tax (SRB/PRA/KPRA)

Step 10
Register for EOBI
Share:

Register if you have 5+ employees (6% employer + 1% employee)

Details & Regulations

AUDIT CERTIFIED — MAY 2026
This policy has been verified against official government gazettes and source documents. View Audit Log
100% Verified

Company Formation Guide for IT BusinessesSOURCE VERIFIED

Why Register Your IT Business?
  • Legal recognition and protection of business assets
  • Eligibility for government incentives and tax benefits
  • Ability to open corporate bank accounts
  • Credibility with international clients and investors
  • Access to formal credit and financing options

Types of Companies Suitable for IT Businesses

Private Limited Company
  • 2-50 members
  • Limited liability
  • Separate legal entity
  • Perpetual succession
Best for: Most IT companies with multiple founders
Single Member Company (SMC)
  • 1 member only
  • Limited liability
  • Simpler compliance
  • Lower costs
Best for: Solo founders and freelancers
Public Limited Company
  • Min 3 members
  • Can be listed
  • Can raise public capital
  • Complex compliance
Best for: Large IT firms planning IPO

Step-by-Step Registration Process

Online Registration (eServices Portal)
  1. Create account on SECP eServices Portal
  2. Select company type (Private/SMC/Public)
  3. Propose company name (3 options)
  4. Complete online application form
  5. Upload required documents
  6. Pay registration fee online
  7. Download Certificate of Incorporation
Required Documents
  • CNIC copies of all directors/subscribers
  • Registered office address proof
  • Memorandum & Articles of Association
  • Consent forms from directors
  • Name availability confirmation
  • Fee payment challan/receipt
Processing Time

Standard: 24-48 hours | Urgent: Same day (additional fee applies)

Ongoing Compliance RequirementsSOURCE VERIFIED

Annual Compliance Calendar

Compliance Item Due Date Penalty for Non-Compliance
Annual Return Within 30 days of annual general meeting (max 4 months from closing) PKR 5,000 to PKR 50,000 depending on delay period (per Companies Act 2017 §460)
Annual General Meeting (AGM) Within 4 months of financial year-end (by March 31 for Dec 31 year-end) PKR 10,000 to PKR 100,000 for company and officers (per Companies Act 2017 §460)
Financial Statements Filing With annual return (audited for companies above threshold) PKR 5,000 to PKR 50,000 (per Companies Act 2017 §460)
Half-Yearly Return (Listed Companies) Within 2 months of half-year-end As per PSX regulations + SECP penalties
Change in Particulars Within 14 days of change (directors, address, capital) PKR 1,000 to PKR 10,000 per violation (per Companies Act 2017 §460)

Source: SECP Official Website | Companies Act, 2017 | SECP Regulations

eZfile — SECP's Online Filing Portal Live

All SECP filings are done through eZfile — the electronic filing system. This is mandatory for:

  • Company incorporation and registration
  • Annual returns (Form 21)
  • Change of directors, registered office, capital
  • Maintenance of statutory registers
  • Filing of financial statements
  • Charge creation/modification/satisfaction
IT Company Tip: SECP has significantly digitized its services. Most filings can be completed entirely online without physical visits. Processing times: Company incorporation in 3-5 working days, name reservation in 24 hours.

SRO 533(I)/2025 — IT Sector Companies Regulations

SECP issued SRO 533(I)/2025 providing simplified regulatory framework for IT companies:

Key Benefits
  • Simplified incorporation process
  • Reduced minimum capital requirements
  • Relaxed filing timelines for startups
  • Digital-first compliance framework
  • Fast-track processing for IT registrations
LLP vs Private Limited
  • LLP: No minimum capital, flexible structure, pass-through taxation, fewer compliance requirements
  • Private Limited: Separate legal entity, limited liability, shareholder structure, better for raising investment
  • Recommendation: LLP for freelancers/small teams, Private Limited for companies seeking investment

SECP — Companies Act 2017, SRO 533(I)/2025, Companies Act 2017]

SECP Fee Calculator

FilingOnline Fee (PKR)Physical Fee (PKR)
Name Reservation (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)200500
Incorporation (Single Member) (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)1,5003,000
Incorporation (Private Limited) (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)3,0006,000
Annual Return (Form 21) (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)1,5003,000
Change of Directors (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)1,0002,000
Increase in Capital (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)1,5003,000
Company Restoration (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017)10,00020,000

Online filing via eZfile is 50% cheaper than physical filing. View full fee schedule ?

Official Resources & ReferencesSOURCE VERIFIED

Official Portals
  • SECP Official Website
  • SECP eServices Portal
  • Name Availability Check
SECP Helpline & Support

Phone: 051-111-727-727

Email: helpdesk@secp.gov.pk

UAN: 051-111-SECP-SECP

Disclaimer

This information is provided for general guidance purposes only. Laws and regulations are subject to frequent changes. Always consult with a qualified legal professional or SECP directly for specific advice. P@SHA does not assume any liability for decisions made based on this information.

Complete Registration Guide: See the Registration & Setup Complete Guide for step-by-step company registration.
SECP Registration Checklist
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Share:
Checkboxes are saved in your browser
Source Citations (26)
https://www.secp.gov.pk/companies-act-2017/
verified 2017 law
SECP Corporate Governance Rules 2019
https://www.secp.gov.pk/corporate-governance/
verified 2019 notification
SECP eZfile — Online Company Registration
https://leap.secp.gov.pk/
pk_only website
Companies Act 2017 — Full Text
https://www.psx.com.pk/psx/themes/psx/documents/legal-framework/SECP/act/companies-act-2017/companiesAct2017.pdf
verified 2017 law
https://www.secp.gov.pk/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/PE_VC_initiative.pdf
verified 2016 pdf
SECP Regulatory Sandbox Guidelines 2019
https://pmex.com.pk/regulatory-framework/
restricted 2019 notification
Share: