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Step-by-step SECP registration, PSEB certification, tax registration & bank account setup
| Item | Estimated Cost | Authority | Time | Notes | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| SECP Company Incorporation | PKR 1,200-3,500 | SECP | 1-2 days | Online via eservices.secp.gov.pk | |
| FBR NTN Registration | Free | FBR | 1-3 days | Via IRIS portal | |
| FBR Sales Tax Registration | Free | FBR | 3-5 days | If turnover exceeds threshold | |
| PSEB Registration | Rs 10,000 | PSEB | 7-14 days | IT export certification | |
| PSEB Tax Holiday Certificate | Free | PSEB | 14-30 days | Under ITO Section 108 | |
| Provincial Tax Registration | Free | SRB/PRA/KPRA/BRA | 3-7 days | Varies by province | |
| EOBI Registration | Free | EOBI | 1-3 days | Required if 10+ employees | |
| Digital Signature Certificate | PKR 1,500-3,000 | NADRA/MWHT | 2-3 days | For WeBOC filing | |
| WeBOC Registration | Free | Customs | 3-7 days | For export declarations | |
| Annual Company Renewal (SECP) | PKR 2,500-5,000 | SECP | Annual | Form 21 annual return |
Complete registration flow from SECP to operational
Check name availability on SECP eservices, pay PKR 50 reservation fee. Name must not conflict with existing companies.
Prepare Memorandum & Articles of Association, file online via SECP. Choose single-member (SMC) or private limited. Fee: PKR 1,200-3,500.
SECP issues digital COI within 1-2 working days. Download from eservices portal.
Apply for IT/ITeS export registration. Submit company profile, client list, export evidence. Fee: PKR 1,000.
Required for employers with 5+ employees. Register online, monthly contribution: 5% employer + 1% employee of minimum wage.
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The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) registers all companies under the Companies Act 2017 (replacing Companies Ordinance 1984). Registration is mandatory before you can open a bank account, register for tax, or sign contracts as a company.
| Type | Min Members | Max Members | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|
| Private Limited (Pvt Ltd) | 2 | 500 (Companies Act 2017) | Most IT startups → 2+ founders, investment-ready |
| Single Member Company (SMC) | 1 | 1 | Solo founders → full limited liability, simpler compliance |
| Public Limited | 7 | Unlimited | Companies planning to list on PSX |
| Item | Fee (PKR) | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Name reservation (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017) | ~200–500 | Per name application |
| Incorporation (Pvt Ltd, capital ≥ PKR 1M) (per SECP fee schedule — SECP — Companies Act 2017) | ~5,000–10,000 | Increases with authorized capital |
| Incorporation (SMC, capital ≥ PKR 1M) | ~3,000–5,000 | Lower fee for single member |
| Form 21 (registered office change) | ~200–500 | Per filing |
| Form 29 (director changes) | ~200–500 | Within 15 days of change |
| Annual return filing | Varies | Based on authorized capital |
| Late filing surcharge | Applicable | Per day of delay |
National Tax Number (NTN) is your unique tax identifier issued by the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Every company must have one before operating, filing returns, or opening a bank account.
IRIS Portal: iris.fbr.gov.pk | FBR Homepage: fbr.gov.pk
The Pakistan Software Export Board (PSEB) is the apex government body under MoITT that promotes Pakistan's IT industry. PSEB registration unlocks significant tax benefits, foreign exchange privileges, and industry support.
| Category | Description |
|---|---|
| IT/ITeS Startups | Companies established within past 12 months → reduced fee tier |
| IT/ITeS Companies | Companies established for more than 12 months → fee based on annual revenue |
| Freelancers | Individual IT freelancers → register to get formal recognition & banking benefits |
| Call Centers | BPO/call center operations — mandatory for PTA VoIP whitelisting |
| Revenue Tier | Annual Fee (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Startups (< 12 months old) | Reduced/nominal |
| Companies ≥ Rs. 50M revenue | Low tier |
| Companies Rs. 50–100M | Mid tier |
| Companies Rs. 100–300M | Higher tier |
| Companies Rs. 300–600M | Higher tier |
| Companies > Rs. 600M | Highest tier |
PKR 5,000 registration (one-time), annual renewal per PSEB schedule. IT exporters are incentivized with government subsidies. Verify current fees at pseb.org.pk.
PSEB / Tech Destination: techdestination.com | Helpline: 0800-01010 (24/7)
After SECP incorporation, you'll need a corporate bank account. If you plan to receive foreign payments for IT exports, you should also open a foreign currency account.
| Document | Notes |
|---|---|
| SECP Certificate of Incorporation | Original + photocopy |
| MOA & AOA | Certified copies |
| CNIC copies of all directors | Original for verification |
| Board resolution | Authorizing account opening and signatories |
| Proof of registered office | Rental agreement + utility bill |
| NTN certificate | From FBR |
| Signatures of authorized signatories | Verified by bank |
Required for local operations, paying salaries, vendor payments. No interest — operational account.
For receiving export remittances. PSEB-registered companies can retain 50% in foreign currency. Required for IT exports. — IT Policy 2021-2027 (unverified)
The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) regulates telecom and internet services. Most IT service companies do NOT need a PTA license — you only need one if you fall into specific categories.
| Your Business | License Required? | License Type |
|---|---|---|
| Software development / IT consultancy | No | N/A → service export, no PTA license needed |
| Web/mobile app development | No | N/A |
| Freelancing | No | N/A |
| Internet Service Provider (ISP) | Yes | ISP License Class A/B/C |
| Data Center operations | Yes | Data Center License |
| Call Center / BPO | Yes | VoIP License (whitelisted via PSEB) |
For a .pk domain, register through PKNIC (pknic.pk). You'll need:
PTA: pta.gov.pk | PKNIC: pknic.pk
After the 18th Constitutional Amendment (2010), sales tax on services became a provincial matter. You must register with the revenue authority of the province where your business is located.
| Province | Authority | Website | IT Services Rate |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sindh | SRB | srb.gos.pk | 3% (Concessional) |
| Punjab | PRA | PRA — PSTS Act 2012 | 0% (Zero-Rated) (Digital) / 2% (BPO) |
| Khyber Pakhtunkhwa | KPRA | KPRA — Acts & Notifications | 5% (Digital) / 2% (BPO) |
| Balochistan | BRRA | brra.gov.pk | ~15% |
Per the Board of Investment (BOI) Investment Policy 2023:
| Provision | Detail | Source |
|---|---|---|
| 100% Foreign Ownership | IT & ITeS companies allow 100% foreign equity — no government permission required | Investment Policy 2023 |
| Profit Repatriation | 100% repatriation of profits and dividends in original investment currency | BOI |
| FCY Retention | 35% of export earnings can be retained in foreign currency accounts | BOI / SBP |
| Equipment Import Duty | 0-5% customs duty on plant, machinery, and equipment for IT sector | Investment Policy 2023 |
| Deemed Assessment | 25% Income Deemed Assessment (IDA) for automatic tax clearance | FBR |
| SEZ Tax Holiday | 10-year income tax holiday in all SEZs | SEZ Act 2012 |
| SEZ Duty Free Import | One-time customs duty exemption on all imported capital goods | SEZ Incentive Package |
After incorporation, you have several filing obligations. Missing deadlines can result in penalties and loss of ATL (Active Taxpayer) status.
| Filing | Deadline | Authority | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Income Tax Return | September 30 (often extended to Dec 31) | FBR (IRIS) | File for the tax year in which company was incorporated, even if no income |
| WHT Monthly Statements | 15th of following month | FBR (IRIS) | Only if you're a withholding agent |
| Provincial Sales Tax Return | Monthly (varies by province) | SRB / PRA / KPRA / BRRA | Required even if zero tax (exports) — Abolished for S.154A claimants |
| SECP Annual Return | Within 30 days of AGM | SECP (eServices) | AGM must be within 6 months of financial year-end |
| SECP Form A (Allotment) | Within 30 days of incorporation | SECP | Return of allotment |
| SECP Form 29 (Director Changes) | Within 15 days of change | SECP | Any changes in directors/CEO/officers |
Estimate your total IT business setup cost. All figures are approximate and unverified — confirm with agencies before budgeting.
All figures are approximate and unverified. Actual costs may vary. Does not include office rent, equipment, or ongoing compliance costs.
| Step | Duration | Parallel? |
|---|---|---|
| SECP Name Reservation | 1–2 days | ✓ |
| SECP Incorporation | 3–5 working days | ✓ |
| NTN Registration (FBR) | 1–3 days | ✓ After SECP |
| PSEB Registration | 3–7 days | ✓ After SECP |
| Corporate Bank Account | 3–7 days | ✓ After SECP + NTN |
| Provincial Sales Tax Registration | 3–7 days | ✓ After NTN |
| PTA License (if needed) | 2–4 weeks | ✓ After SECP |
| Total (without PTA) | 2–3 weeks | |
| Total (with PTA) | 4–6 weeks |
Disclaimer: This guide is for general informational purposes. SECP fees, PSEB fees, and provincial tax registration details are unverified and based on training knowledge. Always verify with official sources or a licensed professional before making business decisions.