How to Check If a Company Is Registered with SECP in Pakistan (Online Search)

Verifying whether a business is legally registered in Pakistan protects you from financial fraud, illegitimate partnerships, and fake job offers. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is the sole federal regulatory authority responsible for incorporating, monitoring, and registering private limited companies, public limited entities, and corporate partnerships.

In this guide, you will learn how to perform an official SECP company name search online, retrieve verified corporate details, and check business registration records directly from official Pakistani directories.

1. Quick Verification: How to Do an SECP Company Name Search Online

The SECP provides a free public search tool accessible via their official portal eservices.secp.gov.pk. Anyone can use it without creating an account.

Step 1: Open the SECP Public Search Portal

• Visit the official SECP portal at LINK or access the Company Name Search utility under the public search section.

Step 2: Enter the Company Name

• Type the exact name or a keyword of the business (for example, Descon, Systems, or Lucky).

• Do not include suffixes like Private Limited, Pvt Ltd, or (SMC-Pvt) in the first attempt. Searching with just the root name produces cleaner matches.

Step 3: Review Search Results

• If the entity is legally incorporated, the database will return:

  • Company Name (legal registered name)

  • CUIN / Incorporation Number (Company Unique Identification Number)

  • Company Type (Private Limited, Public Limited, Single Member Company, or Non-Profit under Section 42)

  • Registration Date & CRO (Company Registration Office location, e.g., Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad)

Important: Sole proprietorships and basic unregistered partnerships (AOPs) are registered with local district registrars or the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for tax purposes; they will not appear in the SECP corporate database unless they are registered as limited liability entities.

2. Information You Can Verify on SECP

When looking up a registered enterprise, verify these core details:

1. Company Unique Identification Number (CUIN): A 7-digit identification assigned upon incorporation.

2. Registration Status: Whether the company is active, striking off, or dissolved.

3. Company Registration Office (CRO): The jurisdictional office where physical filings and records are lodged (Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, Multan, Faisalabad, Peshawar, Quetta, or Gilgit-Baltistan).

4. Certified True Copies (CTCs): For formal legal, banking, or visa purposes, certified statutory filings (Form 29 for directors, Form A/B for annual returns) can be ordered directly from SECP for a nominal fee.

3. Difference Between SECP Registration, FBR NTN, and Chamber of Commerce

Many local businesses claim to be "registered" while holding only an individual tax number. Here is how to distinguish between the three primary registrations in Pakistan:

4. How to Find Registered Pakistani Companies on FindPK

If you need phone numbers, physical office addresses, executive contacts, and industry categorizations that are not displayed in government database results, use the FindPK Business Directory:

• Browse Verified Companies: Visit the FindPK Companies Directory to view corporate profiles categorized by industry and city.

• Filter by Location: Access city-specific directories, including Lahore ExportersKarachi Industrial Units.

• Trade Bodies & Chambers: Look up contacts for local regulatory and trade bodies on our Trade Bodies Directory.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

What does CUIN stand for in SECP?

CUIN stands for Company Unique Identification Number. It is a unique numeric identifier issued by SECP to each incorporated company in Pakistan, serving as the business's official corporate ID.

Can I check company directors through SECP online?

Basic public search shows the company name, CUIN, registration office, and status. Detailed director listings (Form 29) require logging into SECP's eServices portal to request certified statutory inspection records.

How do I check if an investment company is authorized by SECP?

SECP maintains a dedicated "Warning / Unauthorized Entities" list on its homepage. Legitimate NBFCs (Non-Banking Finance Companies), asset management firms, and modarabas must hold special licenses beyond basic incorporation. Always cross-check financial firms against SECP’s licensed entities list before investing.

Is an NTN the same as an SECP registration?

No. An NTN (National Tax Number) is issued by the FBR for taxation purposes to individuals, sole proprietorships, and partnerships. SECP registration incorporates a separate legal corporate entity (such as a Private Limited company).

Are You a Registered Business in Pakistan?

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