Types of Company Registration in Pakistan:
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Private Limited Company
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Single Member Company (SMC)
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Public Limited Company (Unlisted)
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Public Listed Company
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Foreign Company Branch/Liaison Office
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Non-Profit Organization (NPO)/Association
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Limited Liability Partnership (LLP)
Key Differences at a Glance:
| Feature | Private Limited | Single Member | Public Unlisted | Public Listed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Minimum Members | 2 | 1 | 3 | 7 |
| Maximum Members | 50 | 1 | Unlimited | Unlimited |
| Minimum Directors | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 |
| Capital Requirement | No minimum | No minimum | No minimum | PKR 200M (post-IPO) |
| Public Share Offering | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed | ❌ Not allowed | ✅ Allowed (via stock exchange) |
| Statutory Audit | Mandatory | Mandatory | Mandatory | Strictly mandatory (SECP/PSE) |
| Tax Flexibility | Standard corporate tax | Standard corporate tax | Standard corporate tax | Heavily regulated |
| Suitability | Small/medium businesses | Sole entrepreneurs | Large businesses (not listed) | Large corporations seeking public investment |
Foreign Company Registration: Requires permission from SECP + specific branch/liaison license. NPO Registration: Under Section 42, for charitable/educational purposes (tax exemptions apply). LLP Registration: Hybrid of company + partnership (limited liability + flexible management).
For exact procedure, consult a corporate lawyer or SECP-approved consultant.