Corporate Law Practice in Pakistan

Corporate law services the general rules and regulations governing corporate activities, including entity incorporation, directors’ and shareholders’ rights, memoranda, articles, board meetings, secretarial duties, operational management, ownership, and public listing or delisting of companies.

Whether you are a director, company secretary, or professional seeking outsourced legal support, SARDAR KHAN & CO provides a comprehensive suite of corporate legal services.
Our expertise allows businesses to complete corporate law transactions efficiently and cost-effectively.

Have you ever faced the challenge of canceling unissued shares or preparing documents to amend a company’s memorandum or articles but felt unsure where to start? Sifting through the Companies Act, 2017, legal textbooks, and precedents can consume significant time.

SARDAR KHAN & CO specializes in offering complete corporate services with a long-standing reputation for delivering practical solutions. We work closely with clients to ensure the right corporate legal framework is in place. Our in-house team provides expert support across a broad range of corporate matters at competitive rates.

Corporate Department

The Corporate Department at SARDAR KHAN & CO leverages the firm’s full resources and expertise. Our corporate lawyers are dedicated to delivering unmatched service that includes:

• Exceptional substantive expertise and professional skill
  
  
• Commitment and dedication to clients
  
  
• Innovative problem-solving and creative solutions
  
  
• Efficient cost management through project budgeting and staffing
  
  

Our services cover amending memorandum and articles, company name changes, re-registration, share classes, share transactions, share cancellation, sub-division and consolidation of shares, elective resolutions, and issuance of share warrants to bearer.

Who We Are

The Corporate Group functions as part of a larger business team, considering legal matters in light of clients’ specific business goals. With a 1:1 partner-to-associate ratio, senior-level involvement is ensured in all client matters. Teams are structured to match client expectations for billing, communication, budget, and reporting. Partners remain actively involved and accessible.

Whom We Counsel

Domestic, international, and public limited companies as well as Pakistani and foreign privately held enterprises at all phases of development make up our clientele. This covers corporate executives, financial institutions, privately held enterprises, startups, expanding businesses, entrepreneurs, private equity companies, venture capital and hedge funds. They serve a broad spectrum of industries including manufacturing, distribution, technology, internet services, financial, real estate, capital markets, medical care, non-profit groups.

What We Do

We provide sophisticated and innovative legal solutions tailored to achieving clients’ business objectives. Tax efficiency is a key consideration in all planning. Our attorneys advise on:

• Business Formation
  
  
• Commercial Contracts
  
  
• Franchising
  
  
• International Transactions
  
  
• Mergers & Acquisitions
  
  
• Strategic Alliances
  
  
• Venture Capital Financing
  
  

Corporate Tags

For public convenience, the SECP has established eight CROs in Islamabad, Karachi, Lahore, Peshawar, Faisalabad, Multan, Sukkur, and Quetta. CROs oversee corporate registration, compliance monitoring, counselling, and service delivery under the Companies Act of 2017. Company records are public, which lets creditors, investors, and shareholders examine and acquire authenticated copies of papers for a small charge.

Specialised Corporate Services & Procedure

Our specialized services include:

• Corporate Governance
  
  
• Due Diligence Services
  
  
• Insolvency Law
  
  
• Joint Ventures
  
  
• LLP & Firm Registration
  
  
• Mergers & Acquisitions
  
  
• Non-Governmental Organization
  
  
• Provident Fund
  

Corporate Setup Guidelines

Three or more people agreeing to the Memorandum of Association and adhering to the Act can form a public company. Two or more people can start a private firm; A Single Member Company (SMC) is the designation given to a one-member private firm.

Certain categories of companies require prior approval from relevant authorities before incorporation:

Before Incorporation Requirements

Availability of Name

The first step is checking the proposed company name’s availability with the registrar. A fee of Rs. 200 for online or Rs.500 for offline applications applies. A list of prohibited names is provided by SECP.

Required Documents for a Corporate Entity

• Identification: CNIC or passport copies of subscribers and witnesses
  
  
• Memorandum & Articles of Association: 4 printed copies offline, 1 online, signed in presence of a witness
  
  
• Form 1: Declaration of Compliance
  
  
• Form 21: Notice of registered office
  
  
• Form 29: Details of first directors
  
  
• Registration fee: Original paid challan
  
  
• Sponsor Authorisation: To address deficiencies and collect the incorporation certificate
  

Additional Requirements

Public companies must additionally submit Form 27 and Form 28 at incorporation. Security companies have extra documentation requirements, including subscriber bio-data, photographs, and financial statements.

SMCs require nomination of at least two nominee directors in Form S1. Associations not for profit must provide all private company documents, plus licenses from SECP or the Ministry of Commerce.

Online Incorporation Procedure

eServices Access

Clients create SECP eServices accounts for all subscribers to obtain system-generated PINs.

Enter the Information

• Application Details: Confirm company name and type
  
  
• Payment Mode: Bank challan or credit card
  

Declarant, Directors, Corporate Info, Signatory

Enter details for the declarant, board members, corporate information, and signatory.

Continue & Submit

Attach required PDFs, save forms, sign using PIN, and submit the process to SECP. A process reference number is generated for future correspondence.

Payment Options

• Bank challan: Print four copies and deposit fee
  
  
• Credit card: Online payment via SECP portal
  
  
• OFT: Online fund transfer facility through MCB Bank
  
  

SECP verifies payments and sends acceptance, rejection, or issue resolution via email.

After Incorporation Requirements

Private companies: appoint a CEO within 15 days, first auditor within 60 days, notify directors/CEO/secretary changes on Form 29 within 14 days. Public companies must also file member lists and obtain a commencement of business certificate.

SMCs appoint a company secretary within 15 days. Annual general meetings must be held within 18 months, and subsequent AGMs yearly.

Changes in paid-up capital, death of members, or conversion between private and SMC follow specific SECP filing procedures and timelines.

Foreign Company Requirements

Foreign companies must submit a certified charter/statute, translated documents, the address of the registered office, details of directors/CEO/secretary, principal officer, and SECP permission for branches. Annual accounts and updates must also be filed per the Companies Act, 2017.

Foreign Investment

Foreign investors can hold up to 100% equity in industrial projects except for restricted sectors (arms, explosives, security printing, alcohol). Service, infrastructure, social, and agriculture sectors have specific equity and minimum investment requirements. Tourism, housing, IT, and real estate follow SECP and investment policy guidelines.