Before you invest in a company, sign a deal or take a job, it helps to know who runs it. In Pakistan, companies are registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), which keeps records of their directors. This guide explains how to check a company and its directors, which details are easy to see and which need an account or a certified copy.
Start With the Official SECP Portal
SECP’s online services are on eservices.secp.gov.pk. Type the address yourself. Fake sites that copy government portals exist, and some private sites with “SECP” in their name are not official.
The portal has not been easy to reach for every tool I tried, and the screens, menu names and fees may change. The steps below are based on guides from legal and corporate service firms, not on a published SECP user manual, so treat them as a general guide and follow what the portal shows you.
What You Need First
- The full company name, or better, its registration number. SECP’s company incorporation number (CUIN) is printed on the Certificate of Incorporation. Ask the company for it.
- For an account: a CNIC or passport, a mobile number in your name and an email address.
Step 1: Search the Company
- Open the SECP eServices portal.
- Find the company search or name search option. Its label may differ.
- Enter the company name or registration number.
- Open the result and check the details.
According to the guides, a basic search shows the legal name, registration number, incorporation date, company type, status and registered office. Check that the status is active, not dissolved or under liquidation, and that the address matches what you were told.
Step 2: Look for the Directors
Sources do not fully agree on how much director information is free. One guide says the free search shows only a partial or basic list of directors. Another says full director details need a registered eServices account. After you log in, look for a section such as company information or search and verification, enter the company, and request the full profile.
Names are the main detail to look for. Reports say personal details such as full CNIC numbers may be hidden for privacy, but check what your own account shows.
Step 3: Ask for Form 29 for the Full List
Form 29 is the company’s filing on its directors and officers, including the chief executive. It is the most complete record of who is on the board. Guides say you can request a certified copy through the portal by choosing the company and the document, paying the fee online and downloading the file. One guide estimates 2 to 5 working days. This timing and the fees come from private firms, so confirm both on the portal before you pay.
Other Records That Help
- Certificate of Incorporation: proves the company exists and gives its number.
- Memorandum and Articles of Association: explain what the company may do and how it is run.
- Form A (annual return): shows how shares are divided among members.
- Beneficial ownership declaration: one guide says it names people who hold 10% or more of voting rights or control. Whether the public can see it was not confirmed.
Cross-Check With Other Sources
- Ask the company for its NTN and check that it appears as active with the FBR.
- Compare the registered address and director names with the company’s contracts, invoices and website.
- If it is a listed company, check the annual report on its own website or the Pakistan Stock Exchange.
Warning Signs
- The company cannot give a registration number.
- The name on the paperwork differs from the SECP record.
- The status is dissolved, struck off or under liquidation.
- The directors listed are different from the people you deal with.
- You are asked to pay a private agent for a “verification” through an unknown site.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the official website for SECP company records?
eservices.secp.gov.pk.
Is the company search free?
Guides say a basic name search is free. Fees for certified copies vary, so check the portal.
Can anyone see a company’s directors?
A basic list may be visible, but full details usually need an account or a certified Form 29, according to the guides. SECP’s own rules were not available to confirm this.
What is Form 29?
The filing that lists a company’s directors and officers.
Does this work for sole proprietorships?
Not necessarily. SECP records cover registered companies, and some business types are registered elsewhere.
Checking a company takes a few minutes and can save you from a costly mistake. Use the official portal, confirm fees there and verify the details with more than one source.
