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Essential Legal Documents to Run a Business in Pakistan(2025 Guide)
What paper I need to run a business in Pakistan and how to start business in Pakistan with no money? Find out the essential documents required in this article.
Do you want to start a business in Pakistan but do not know where to start? Or wondering what paper I need to run a business in Pakistan? Or are you hesitant about the prospect of starting a business in Pakistan? This article will answer all your questions. In fact, starting a business in Pakistan in 2025 is an excellent choice, and the business environment in Pakistan is showing significant growth, especially in high-growth sectors such as agriculture and technology. According to Statista, in 2024, the country's GDP will grow by 10.99% at current prices.
In addition, Pakistan's business environment is more inclusive than it used to be. This is because women and men have become more equal, as the proportion of women starting businesses is increasing globally. Women entrepreneurs now account for 43% of all entrepreneurs worldwide, and the number of women entrepreneurs in Pakistan is growing significantly.
Starting and running a business in Pakistan is an exciting and rewarding experience. Of course, to ensure that your business runs smoothly, you must comply with various legal and regulatory requirements. Understanding the paperwork and official documentation required to start a business in Pakistan is essential to avoid future setbacks or legal issues.
Therefore, this article will answer the key question of what paper I need to run a business in Pakistan. At the end of the article, I will recommend the AI website builder Wegic. Using this website builder to create a website can make your business operate smoothly!
Disclaimer: This content should not be construed as legal or financial advice; you should always consult a lawyer or financial advisor for relevant content.
Essential Legal Documents to Run a Business in Pakistan in 2025
Step 1: Register your business
Registering a company is the first step in starting a business in Pakistan. Different business structures require other documents. Common types of businesses include sole proprietorships, partnerships, limited liability companies (LLCs), or public limited companies.
Sole Proprietorships
A sole proprietorship can be defined as a business under the ownership and management of a single person, where there is no legal distinction between the business and the owner. The documents required for company registration in Pakistan include:
You should have a valid National Identity Card (NIC) or Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC).
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Business location:
Evidence of where your business will operate (such as utility invoices).
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Registration of the business:
You must register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for tax purposes. Depending on the nature of your business, you may need a Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN).
Partnerships
Partnerships can be considered as a business structure in which more than one person owns a business and shares the profit and loss of the business. The documents required for Partnerships in Pakistan include:
A partnership agreement with a description of the terms and conditions of the business relationship. The documents required for company registration in Pakistan include:
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All partners' National Identity Cards (NICs)
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Business address proof
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Registered with the FBR to pay taxes
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs)
Limited Liability Companies (LLCs) can be defined as A corporate entity that prevents individuals from being held liable for the financial losses and debts incurred by the corporation.
The documents required for company registration in Pakistan include:
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Letter from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) reserving the right to use the Company Name.
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Memorandum and articles of association.
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Directors' and shareholders' National Identity Cards (NICs).
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Proof of address of the business.
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SECP Certificate of Incorporation
Public Limited Company
A public limited company can be considered a type of company that sells shares of stock to the general public and is listed on a stock exchange. The documents required for company registration in Pakistan include:
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SECP reservation of company name.
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Prospectus and financial statements of the company.
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Details of directors and stockholders.
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Certificate of Incorporation and get registered with SECP.
You can check this guide when you consider the business type and try to answer the question about what paper I need to run a business in Pakistan. This is the most crucial step for you to build the company in Pakistan; please consider it seriously. Through the first step, we also find that the question of how to start businesses in Pakistan with no money is impossible.
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Step 2: Tax registration and obtaining a National Tax Number (NTN)
Once you have registered your business, the next step is to obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). This step is a must for any business and requires the fulfillment of tax obligations. Wondering "What paper I need to run a business in Pakistan"? Documents required for company registration in Pakistan for:
National Tax Number (NTN) :
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A copy of your National Identity Card (CNIC) or Passport.
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Proof of Registered Address to start trading.
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Certificate of business registration
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Details of bank account
You will be required to file an annual return and provide details of your business income and expenditure to calculate the amount of tax payable after registering for the National Tax Number.
Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN)
You will also need to register for sales tax with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) if your business involves the sale of taxable goods or services. To do this, you will need to submit the following:
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An application for registration for sales tax.
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The CNIC of the owner of the business or the authorized representative.
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Documents of business registration
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Business address proof
This step answers your question about what paper I need to run a business in Pakistan. For people who want to ask how to start a business in Pakistan with no money, the answer may lead to their disappointment.
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Step 3: Obtain relevant business licenses and permits
Different types of businesses may require different licenses or permits, which are usually determined by your industry, the type of business you operate, and your business activities.
Industry-specific licenses:
You will need an industry-specific license issued by the relevant authorities in Pakistan if you operate in sectors such as healthcare, education, food, and construction. While many aspiring entrepreneurs wonder "how to start a business in Pakistan with no money", the reality is that some initial capital is essential. For example, documents required for company registration in Pakistan include:
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Restaurants:
A food license from the Food Authority of Pakistan.
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Pharmaceutical Industries:
Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (DRAP).
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Import/export:
Registration with the Pakistan Board of Customs.
Municipal Licenses:
Some businesses may require municipal licenses when people ask what paper is needed to run a business in Pakistan. You can have a look here:
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A business license is issued by the local government of the city
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A building permit if you are in the process of constructing a physical office or retail space.
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Signage permits for the placement of signs or advertisements outside your business premises.
Step 4: Open a commercial bank account
Of course, no matter what type of company you open in Pakistan, you will need to open a commercial bank account. But what paper do I need to run a business in Pakistan? Check here:
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A National Tax Number (NTN)
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Certificate of Business Registration
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Proof of identity of the owner(s) or business partners.
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Deed of Partnership or Memorandum of Association, if applicable.
Why do you need to open a business bank account? Because it allows you to track your company's income and expenses effectively. That's why questions like how to start a business in Pakistan with no money can seem naive. That's because starting a business always requires start-up capital.
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Step 5: When you start planning to hire people for your company
If you are planning to hire employees for your company, you will, of course, need to follow the labor laws. Thus, the documents required for company registration in Pakistan include the following:
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Employee contracts:
Draw up clear contracts that outline the wages, working hours, and other terms and conditions of employment.
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Employees' Provident Fund (EPF):
If you have more than 10 employees, you will need to register with the Employees' Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI) for the payment of pension contributions and social security contributions.
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Registration with the Department of Labor:
In certain cases, especially for large companies with significant employees, registration with the provincial labor department may be required.
Step 6: When you work in an industry that involves environmental safety
Suppose you are involved in an industry that has the potential to harm the environment. In that case, you must comply with Pakistan's environmental and safety regulations. For example, manufacturing and industrial companies. These two types of businesses are often harmful to the environment, so it's important to be environmentally conscious if you're in this type of business. Thus, what paper i need to run a business in Pakistan?
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Pakistan Environmental Protection Agency (PEPA) Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) approval.
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Certificates of compliance with health and safety regulations.
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Inspections and certificates for fire safety.
Step 7: Intellectual property registration
What if your business involves intellectual property? What documents are required for company registration in Pakistan? Suppose your business involves trademarks, patents, or copyrights. In that case, you must register with the Intellectual Property Organization of Pakistan (IPO), which will help you protect your business and brand more effectively. What paper i need to run a business in Pakistan in this step?
The documents include:
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Application for a trademark with the IPO
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Applying for a Patent for inventions or new processes
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Registering Copyright for original works such as logos, designs, and written content
These are the documents you will need to register a company in Pakistan. You can find out the general requirements in this guide. However, please consult the appropriate professional for specific content, legal or financial advice. Through this guide, you also understand that the question of how to start a business in Pakistan with no money is unrealistic.
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Build a website for your company with Wegic!
After successfully establishing your company in Pakistan, it is essential to set up an official website for your company. An official website can help you effectively build a brand image and establish a professional image in customers' eyes. This is because customers can use the website to learn more about your company, brand, and products. Through this, customers can further understand why they choose your company as their first choice.
Wegic can satisfy your need to build an official website. You can create a website by talking to Wegic's AI assistant. You only need to specify your requirements for the website, such as font, website style, etc. If you do not know how to plan a website, you can understand through this article: How to Create a Website Content Plan: A Beginner's Guide.
Wegic's pricing is also very cost-effective for small businesses. Wegic offers a free version, and the paid version isn't too expensive. If you choose to pay monthly, the Basic Plan costs $11.9 per month, and the Pro Plan costs $19.9 per month. If you select an annual plan, the Basic plan costs $9.9 per month, and the Pro plan costs $15.9 per month. Wegic's plan is very cost-effective compared to other website pricing systems, and you can upgrade your plan at any time. In addition, Wegic supports multilingual modes. This also means you can create websites in different languages or talk to Wegic's AI assistant in a language you are familiar with.
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Final Thoughts
This article uses seven steps to answer the question of what paper I need to run a business in Pakistan. The seven steps are registering your business, tax registration, obtaining a national tax number (NTN), obtaining relevant business licenses and permits, and opening a commercial bank account if you plan to hire people for your business. If you are in an industry that involves environmental safety and Registering intellectual property. These seven steps give you a detailed introduction to the documents required to start a company in Pakistan. Of course, you should consult a lawyer and other relevant professionals for specific requirements. In addition, this article will also introduce you to Wegic, the AI website builder. This website builder can help your company build a professional image and expand its presence in Pakistan.
Written by
Kimmy
Published on
Jan 13, 2025
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