What Are The Naming Guidelines For Company Registration In Pakistan?

Choosing a name for Company Registration In Pakistan is one of the first and most important steps in the registration process. In Pakistan, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) regulates company names to ensure they are appropriate, distinct, and not misleading. The name you select must comply with certain legal and ethical standards laid out in the Companies Act, 2017 and Company Name Reservation Regulations, 2017.

Understanding these naming guidelines will help ensure your name is approved quickly and avoid unnecessary delays in registration.

1. Uniqueness and Distinctiveness

Your company name must be unique and distinguishable from any other existing name in the SECP database. This means that names already registered or too similar to existing companies will be rejected. You can use SECP’s Company Name Search feature on their website to check the availability of a name before submitting your application.

• Adding small variations such as changing “Solutions” to “Solution” or using symbols (e.g., "&") does not make the name unique.

• Words that sound phonetically similar may also be considered identical.

Example: If “TechWorld Pvt Ltd” is already registered, names like “Tech World Pvt Ltd” or “TekWorld Pvt Ltd” are likely to be rejected.

2. Prohibited and Restricted Words

Certain words and phrases are prohibited or restricted and cannot be used in a company name unless specific conditions are met.

Prohibited Words:

• Offensive or obscene words

• Misleading terms (such as “Government”, “United Nations”, “FBI”)

• Words that imply a connection with public institutions without proper authorization

Restricted Words (require approval or license):

• “Bank”, “Insurance”, “Stock Exchange”, “University”, “Trust”

• Any word that suggests regulated activity, such as “Microfinance”, “Investment”, or “Exchange”

If you want to use such words, you must obtain prior approval or a license from the relevant regulatory authority (e.g., State Bank of Pakistan for banks or HEC for universities).

3. Use of Company Structure in Name

The name must include the correct suffix based on the type of Company Registration In Pakistan:

• (Private) Limited – for private limited companies

• (Public) Limited – for public limited companies

• Single Member Company (SMC) – for single-member companies

• LLP – for Limited Liability Partnerships

Example: “Digital Waves (Pvt.) Limited” is acceptable for a private limited company.

4. Avoiding Generic Terms

SECP discourages the use of overly generic or vague terms that do not reflect the actual nature of the business.

Examples of discouraged names:

• “Business Solutions Pvt Ltd”

• “The Company Pvt Ltd”

Names should ideally reflect the core activity or identity of the company to avoid confusion and to help with branding.

5. Language and Spellings

• Company names may be in English or Urdu only.

• Roman Urdu or a combination of languages (such as English and Chinese) is not permitted.

• If using Urdu, names must be typed in Urdu script.

6. Religious Sensitivity and Patriotism

SECP prohibits names that:

• Misuse the names of religious personalities, sects, or religious terms

• Contain anti-national or anti-state sentiments

• Include terms like “Islamic”, “Pak”, or “National” unless justified with supporting documentation and context

7. Trademarks and IP Rights

Even if SECP approves a name, it does not guarantee protection from trademark disputes. Before finalizing a name, it is wise to conduct a trademark search with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) Pakistan to avoid future legal issues.

Conclusion

Selecting a company name in Pakistan involves more than creativity—Hamza & Hamza Law Associates must comply with SECP’s clear legal and regulatory framework. Ensure your name is unique, does not contain prohibited or misleading words, and includes the appropriate suffix based on your company type. By carefully checking SECP’s rules and using the name availability search tool, you can streamline the registration process and avoid unnecessary rejections or delays.