Opening an office in Pakistan comes down to six steps: structure, registration, tax, banking, workspace and people.
1. Choose a structure
Sole proprietor, partnership or private limited company for local founders; subsidiary, branch or liaison office for foreign companies.
2. Register
Private limited companies register with SECP (secp.gov.pk). Foreign branch and liaison offices first need Board of Investment permission (invest.gov.pk).
3. Tax
Get an FBR NTN, sales-tax registration if required and PSEB registration for IT exporters.
4. Bank account
Open a business account with your incorporation documents and NTN.
5. Workspace
Lease and fit out an office, or move into a furnished team pod with power and internet backup.
6. Hire and run payroll
Register for EOBI and provincial social security, and file monthly withholding tax.
