Do you know? Why SECP is rejecting proposed name of your company! Answer is straight: you are using prohibited words or expressions, or the corporate laws of Pakistan are not allowing. Don’t you worry! I am here to give you complete information on SECP prohibited words for company names in Pakistan.
Before I move on further, I want to mention here for a you that SECP is Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. It is the regulator of the corporate sector and capital market of Pakistan.
Let’s start.
The Section 10 of Companies Act 2017 and the Companies Regulations 2024 govern the naming of companies. The Regulations outlines prohibited and restricted words along with the criteria of their usage. There is a good news. You can use these words if you comply with the Regulations.
Table of Contents
Basic Rules for Naming Your Company
The Section 10 has set some basic rules for naming your company. There are some dos and don’ts for selecting a name.
Your selected name must be:
- 1. Unique.
- 2. Appropriate.
- 3. Compliant with the national security of the country.
Your selected name must not be:
- Identical to those of already registered companies in Pakistan.
- Designed to exploit or offend religious susceptibilities of the people
A summary of Prohibited and Restricted Words and Expressions
Below is the list of restricted and prohibited words and expressions.
- 1. Federal Government, Provincial Government
- 2. Words showing any link / association / terms with any foreign government
- 3. IMF, World Bank, UNO, OIC, SAARC, IDB, Red Cross, Red Crescent etc.
- 4. Pakistan and name of any other country
- 5. Words showing any link / association / terms with any political personality
- 6. State, Nation, National, Authority
- 7. Senate, Parliament / Parliamentary, Cabinet, National Assembly, Provincial Assembly
- 8. Statute, Statutory
- 9. Court, Judiciary, Judge, Jury
- 10. Administrator
- 11. Commission, Authority
- 12. Registered, Register
- 13. Co-operative, Corporation
- 14. Bureau, Division, Department, Undertaking
- 15. Municipal, Union
- 16. Association, Foundation, Trust, Society
- 17. Council, Chamber, Board, Chapter
- 18. Assurance, Assurer, Insurance, Insurer, Re-Assurance, Re-Assurer, Reinsurance, Reinsurer
- 19. Bank, Banking, Banker
- 20. Bahria, Askari, Fauji, Fazaiya, Cadet, Armed Forces or Forces, Army, Navy, Air Force, Shaheen, Military, Defence
- 21. Charter, Chartered
- 22. Corporation, Group, Holding
- 23. Exchange, Bourse
- 24. Fund, Group, Holding
- 25. Institution, University
- 26. Islam, Islamic and any other names related other religions
- 27. Gymkhana
- 28. Arms and Ammunition
- 29. Commodity, Commodities
- 30. Pay, Payment, Paisa, Money
- 31. Registered Trademark, Copyrights, Patents etc.
- 32. Names of famous or distinct personalities
- 33. Words or Expressions not present in dictionary of English or Urdu or any other language
- 34. Federation, Federal, Province, Provincial, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or KPK, FATA, Gilgit Baltistan or FANA, Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK
- 35. Institute or Institution, University
- 36. Finance, Financial, Investment Finance, Investment Advisory, Leasing, Asset Management, Housing Finance, Modaraba, Venture Capital, Private Equity
- 37. Country name or nationality other than Pakistan
- 38. New, Modern, The, Al, International, Company, Co., Inc., Firm, Partnership, LLP, LLC, Proprietor, Enterprise, Mills, Factory
Words and Expressions that are never allowed under any circumstances
There are certain situations where the registrar or the commission simply does not allow the use of specific words or expressions without any exception. In such cases, the registrar will not issue approval under any condition. These include:
- Applicant is using inappropriate or unacceptable words and expressions.
- Names that are misleading or deceptive in nature.
- Names that imply fraud, misrepresentation, or any dishonest intent.
- Names are crafted to exploit cultural values or norms, or those that conflict with Pakistan’s national security, interests, or sovereignty.
- Names identical to an already registered company.
- Any existing law, court order, or ongoing litigation, including objections from law‑enforcement or regulatory bodies, is restricting the approval.
How to get approval on Prohibited and Restricted words
Based on the Companies Act, 2017, the Companies Regulations, 2024, and our practical experience with SECP’s past practices, we have put together a helpful document. It gives guidance on all the words and expressions listed above.
You can view or download the guidance by clicking the button below. This file is available so you can easily save it for quick reference anytime.
We have also published a detailed blog on this topic, which you can link internally for more clarity.
Save this file in your mobile phone!!!
This file contains a summary – A practical approach to secure your company name
Source and references
Legal references are:
- 1. Section 10 of the Companies Act 2017
- 2. The Companies Regulation 2024
Disclaimer
The information shared in this blog is based on our professional experience, publicly available SECP guidelines, and the Companies Regulations 2024. This blog is written for general guidance only. It should not be treated as legal advice.
SECP policies, procedures, and interpretations may change over time. The registrar usually evaluates each case differently depending on its specific circumstances.
For matters involving prohibited words, name reservations, or appeals before SECP, it is always better to consult a qualified professional who can review your situation in detail. ConSerIC Accountants does not take responsibility for any decision made solely on the basis of this content.
