To register a business in Pakistan, you will need to follow these steps:
- Choose a business structure: In Pakistan, the most common business structures are sole proprietorship, partnership, and limited liability company (LLC). Each structure has its own advantages and disadvantages, so it’s important to choose the one that best suits your business needs.
- Obtain a National Tax Number (NTN) and Sales Tax Registration Number (STRN): These numbers are required for all business entities and can be obtained from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR)
- Register for social security and employee provident fund: If you plan to hire employees, you will need to register for these schemes with the Employees’ Old-Age Benefits Institution (EOBI)
- Register for sales tax: If your business is engaged in sales, you will need to register for sales tax with the FBR
- Register for the Chamber of Commerce: This is an optional step, but it is advisable to register your business with the local chamber of commerce to gain access to networking and business development opportunities
- Obtain any necessary licenses and permits: Depending on the nature of your business, you may need to obtain additional licenses and permits from the relevant government bodies.
It’s important to note that each step has different requirements and different processing times, so it’s advisable to check with the relevant government bodies for the most current information.