Menu
Book a Consultation
Corporate & Business Setup

Business Registration in Pakistan for sole traders, firms and AOPs

Not every business needs to be a company. We register sole proprietorships, partnership firms and associations of persons with the right authorities, from FBR and the Registrar of Firms to provincial revenue authorities and employer registrations, so your business is fully recognised.

Free first consultationWritten quote before work startsNothing filed without your approval
2014Serving clients since
500+Filings completed
ACCA · ICAPQualified team
24/7Phone & WhatsApp access
Registering a business

Most businesses need more than one registration, and few people know which

For a business that is not a company, there is no single registration that covers everything. Depending on your structure, what you sell, where you operate and whether you employ staff, you may need to register with several different authorities.

The starting point is your structure. A sole proprietor registers with FBR as an individual with business details, using their CNIC as NTN. A partnership firm is registered with the Registrar of Firms under the Partnership Act, 1932 and separately with FBR as an association of persons with a 7-digit NTN. From there, suppliers of taxable goods may need FBR sales tax registration, providers of taxable services may need registration with ICT, PRA, SRB, KPRA or BRA, and employers need EOBI and provincial social security registration once they hire.

Our business registration service maps the registrations your business actually needs and handles them in the right order. If you are still choosing a structure, our business setup consultancy can help, and if you only need the tax side, see business tax registration.

We start every business registration with a simple question: what will you sell, where and to whom? The registrations follow from the answer.
What's included

Every registration a non-company business might need

A fixed fee for the registrations you need, mapped upfront.

Structure check

Sole proprietorship, partnership or AOP confirmed as the right fit.

FBR income tax

Individual or AOP registration on IRIS with business details.

Firm registration

Partnership deed and registration with the Registrar of Firms.

Sales tax

FBR sales tax and provincial services registrations where needed.

Employer registrations

EOBI and provincial social security once you employ staff.

Licences and chambers

Guidance on trade licences and chamber of commerce membership.

Bank account support

Documents prepared for opening a business account.

Compliance calendar

Returns and renewals for each registration diarised.

Risks we prevent

Where business registration usually goes wrong

These are the gaps we find most often when a business registered on its own.

01

Only one registration

Registering for income tax but missing sales tax or services tax creates hidden liabilities.

We map every registration.
02

Partnership never registered

An unregistered firm faces legal limits on enforcing its rights.

We register the firm.
03

Firm without its own NTN

Running a partnership through a partner's personal NTN mixes up everyone's tax.

We register the AOP.
04

Staff without employer registration

Employing staff without EOBI and social security registration creates liabilities.

We register you as an employer.
05

Wrong province for services

Services must be registered with the authority where they are provided.

We check your locations.
06

Registrations never maintained

Each registration brings returns and renewals that need tracking.

We set up your calendar.
How we work

How we register your business

Most registrations are online. We tell you if any step needs a visit.

Free

Consultation

We understand your structure, activity, locations and staff.

Same week

Registration map

A clear list of every registration you need and why.

Before work starts

Fixed quote

One fee for the registrations, with government fees listed.

Filing

Register in order

Each registration completed in the right sequence.

After

Stay compliant

Returns and renewals for each registration diarised.

Who we work with

Business registration for every kind of non-company business

Shops and traders

Retail and wholesale businesses starting out or formalising.

Partnerships

Two or more owners running a business together.

Professional practices

Doctors, consultants and other professionals.

Small manufacturers

Workshops and small factories with staff.

Service businesses

Local service providers in Islamabad and the provinces.

Informal businesses going formal

Established businesses registering for the first time.

Why Finvocates

Every registration handled by one team

We know how FBR, provincial authorities, registrars and employer bodies fit together, so nothing is missed.

A complete registration map

You know exactly what you need before anything is filed.

Qualified professionals

ACCA and ICAP Chartered Accountant qualifications, plus an LLB-qualified advocate.

Registered in the right order

Each registration supports the next, without rework.

Ongoing compliance

Returns and payroll obligations handled after registration.

Honest structure advice

We tell you when a company would serve you better.

Clear fixed fees

One fee agreed upfront.

FAQs

Business registration questions we hear most

Have a question that is not here? Send it to us on WhatsApp and we will reply the same day.

How do I register a business in Pakistan?
It depends on the structure. A sole proprietor registers with FBR as an individual with business details. A partnership registers with the Registrar of Firms and with FBR as an AOP. Companies and LLPs register with SECP. Depending on your activity, you may also need sales tax, provincial services and employer registrations.
Do I need to register my business with SECP?
Only if it is a company or an LLP. Sole proprietorships and partnership firms are not registered with SECP. If you want limited liability, see our company registration service.
What registrations does a partnership need?
Usually registration with the Registrar of Firms under the Partnership Act, 1932, registration with FBR as an association of persons, and any sales tax, provincial and employer registrations its activities require.
Do I need to register for sales tax?
It depends on what you sell and where. Suppliers of certain goods register with FBR, and providers of taxable services register with ICT, PRA, SRB, KPRA or BRA. We check your obligations as part of the registration map.
What registrations do I need when I hire staff?
Employers generally need to register with EOBI and the provincial social security institution, and must deduct income tax from salaries where it applies. Our payroll services can handle the ongoing obligations.
Do I need a chamber of commerce membership?
It is not always required, but banks, government buyers and some licences ask for it, and it is often needed for import and export activities. We advise whether it makes sense for you.
How long does business registration take?
Online FBR registrations can be quick once documents are ready, while firm registration and some provincial registrations take longer. We give you a realistic timeline in your registration map.
How much does business registration cost?
We quote one fixed fee for the registrations you need, with any government fees listed separately. Your first consultation is free.

Find out exactly what your business needs

Tell us your structure, what you sell, where you operate and whether you have staff. We will send you a registration map and a fixed fee.

Book your free consultation

This page is general information about our services, not tax, legal or financial advice for your specific situation. Laws, rates and deadlines change with each Finance Act and official notification.