The private limited company (Pvt Ltd) is the most popular business structure in Pakistan for founders who want limited liability, a separate legal identity and the credibility to raise investment. It is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) entirely online. This guide walks through the minimum requirements, the documents you must prepare, a clear cost table and the real timeline - and shows how it compares to a single member company or an LLP.
What is a private limited company?
A private limited company is a body corporate registered under the Companies Act 2017. It has a legal personality separate from its owners, meaning the company - not the shareholders personally - owns assets, signs contracts and bears liabilities. Shareholders' risk is limited to the amount unpaid on their shares. The word (Private) Limited or the abbreviation (Pvt) Ltd must appear at the end of the company name.
Unlike a sole proprietorship or a partnership firm, a Pvt Ltd company survives changes in ownership, can bring in investors by issuing shares, and shields personal assets from business debts. For a fuller comparison of every structure, see our pillar guide to the types of company registration in Pakistan.
Minimum requirements
Before you file, make sure you meet the statutory minimums for a private company:
| Requirement | Minimum for a Pvt Ltd company |
|---|---|
| Members (shareholders) | 2 (maximum 50, excluding employees) |
| Directors | 2 |
| Authorised capital | No statutory minimum; commonly set at PKR 100,000 |
| Paid-up capital deposit | Not required at incorporation |
| Registered office | A verifiable physical address in Pakistan |
| Digital signature | One per subscriber (issued via NIFT) |
Only one owner? You cannot form a two-member company alone - but you can register a Single Member Company (SMC), which gives the same limited liability with just one shareholder and a nominee director.
Documents you need
Keep these ready before you start the online application. Most are prepared digitally and uploaded to the SECP eZfile portal:
| Document | Purpose |
|---|---|
| CNIC / passport of each director and subscriber | Identity verification (passport for foreign nationals) |
| Memorandum of Association (MOA) | Company charter - name, objects, capital clause |
| Articles of Association (AOA) | Internal governance rules |
| Integrated incorporation form | Replaces the former Form-1, Form-21 and Form-29 |
| Proof of registered office | Utility bill, tenancy agreement or ownership document |
| Digital signatures | To sign the application electronically |
Historically SECP required three separate forms - Form-1 (declaration of compliance), Form-21 (notice of registered office) and Form-29 (particulars of directors). The eZfile system now folds these into a single integrated incorporation application, though the underlying declarations remain the same.
MOA and AOA explained
These two constitutional documents define your company and are filed at incorporation:
- Memorandum of Association (MOA): the company's charter. It fixes the name, the province of the registered office, the objects (the business the company may lawfully carry on) and the authorised capital divided into shares.
- Articles of Association (AOA): the internal rulebook. It governs how directors are appointed, how meetings and votes work, how shares are issued and how a share transfer is approved by the board.
SECP provides standard model documents that suit most small companies. If you have multiple founders, investors or a specific objects clause, have a corporate lawyer tailor the MOA and AOA to avoid disputes later.
Cost of registration
Government fees for a Pvt Ltd company are prescribed under the schedules to the Companies Act 2017 and are calculated on your authorised capital - the lower your capital, the lower the fee. Online (eZfile) filing is cheaper than the physical route. Indicative figures:
| Item | Typical online fee (PKR) |
|---|---|
| Name reservation | Around 200 - 1,000 |
| Incorporation (capital up to 100,000) | Around 1,800 |
| Incorporation (higher capital) | Rises in steps per additional 100,000 of capital |
| Digital signature (NIFT) | Nominal, per subscriber |
| Professional / legal fees | Varies by firm and scope |
Fees change and depend on your capital. The exact government charge should be confirmed on SECP's own incorporation fee calculator, or let us confirm the total for your capital during a consultation. The figures above are typical ranges, not fixed quotes.
Timeline and process
The whole process is digital through the SECP eZfile portal. A typical incorporation runs as follows:
| Step | What happens | Typical time |
|---|---|---|
| 1. User registration | Create an eZfile account and get digital signatures | Same day |
| 2. Name reservation | SECP checks the proposed name for availability | 1 - 2 working days |
| 3. Incorporation filing | Submit MOA, AOA and the incorporation form | Same day to file |
| 4. SECP review | Scrutiny and issue of the certificate | 2 - 5 working days |
| 5. Certificate of Incorporation | Digitally signed certificate, delivered by email | On approval |
A reserved name is valid for 60 days, so file your incorporation within that window. An urgent (fast-track) service can compress the review to as little as 24 hours for an additional fee. For the end-to-end walkthrough, see our detailed guide on how to register a company with SECP.
After incorporation
The Certificate of Incorporation is the start, not the finish. To trade legally you must:
- Finalise your NTN. SECP forwards your data to the FBR and an NTN is generated, but the principal officer must confirm the details on the FBR IRIS portal. See our guide to NTN registration online.
- Open a company bank account in the company's name using the certificate and NTN.
- Register for sales tax with the FBR or the relevant provincial revenue authority if your activity is taxable.
- Stay compliant. File your annual return (Form A) and other returns on time - our SECP and FBR compliance calendar and annual returns guide cover the deadlines.
Understand your ongoing tax position too - see how a company is taxed compared to other structures in our guide to business tax in Pakistan.
Frequently asked questions
How many members do I need for a Pvt Ltd company?
At least two members and two directors. A single owner should register a Single Member Company (SMC) instead. The maximum for a private company is 50 members, excluding employees.
Is there a minimum capital requirement?
No statutory minimum paid-up capital for a general private company. Authorised capital is commonly set at PKR 100,000 and does not need to be deposited in a bank at incorporation.
How long does registration take?
Usually 3 to 7 working days in total through eZfile - name reservation in 1 to 2 days and incorporation in a further 2 to 5 days. An urgent track can be faster.
What is the difference between the MOA and the AOA?
The MOA is the company charter (name, objects, capital); the AOA is the internal rulebook (directors, meetings, share transfers). Both are filed with SECP.
Do I need a physical office?
Yes. You must provide a verifiable registered office address in Pakistan - residential, commercial or co-working space, supported by proof such as a utility bill or tenancy agreement.
Can a foreigner be a director or shareholder?
Yes. Foreign nationals can hold shares and act as directors, using their passport for identity. Certain sectors may require additional security clearance.