Are you in the process of registering your company in Pakistan! Just take a break and take a look on name of your business. Have you checked whether it contains restricted or prohibited expressions.
Don’t you worry. I am here yo help you out to check your suggested name. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) regulates corporate sector of Pakistan. SECP outlines some expressions that are not allowed to use in names of companies. You need to go through these restricted words before submitting your application.
I have divided these words on the basis of their respective categories. So, it would be easy for you to cross check your name. Still, you can use these expressions in your business name. For it, you need to follow certain guidelines.
For your help, I have also written another blog on the use of restricted words which are listed below.
Names / words of or related with governments, statutes etc.
| Federal Govt | Division | Governor | Parliament / Parliamentary |
| Provincial Govt | Department | Prime Minister | Statute / Statutory |
| Commission | Undertaking | Chief Minister | Court |
| Authority | Municipal | Minister | Judge |
| Registered / Register | Union | Cabinet | Jury |
| Any political personality | Republic | Senate | Judiciary |
| Co-operative | Nation / National | National Assembly | Administrator |
| Bureau | President | Provincial Assembly | Establishment |
Names of International Bodies
| IMF | Red Cross |
| ADB | Red Crescent |
| World Bank | International Finance Corporation |
| UN and its institutions | All others (not covered here) |
| OIC | SAARC |
| Arab League | IDB |
Save this list of SECP Prohibited Words
SECP has prohibited certain words and expressions from their use in company names.
Names of National Bodies and Regulators
| State Bank of Pakistan |
| Pakistan Stock Exchange |
| PTA |
| WAPDA |
| All others (not covered here) |
Others
| Association | Fazaiya / Air Force | Chamber | Private Equity |
| Foundation | Cadet / Army / Armed Forces | Charter / Chartered | Venture Capital |
| Assurance / Assurer | Shaheen | Corporation | Modaraba |
| Insurance / Insurer | Military / Defence | Exchange / Bourse | Housing Finance |
| Re-Assurance / Re-assurer | Banking / Bank / Banker | Federal | Asset Management |
| Re-Insurance / Re-Insurer | Board | Federation | Leasing |
| Bahia / Navy | Council | Province / Provincial | Investment Advisory |
| Askari / Fauji / Forces | Capital | Finance / Financial | Investment Finance |
| Invest | Investment | Investor | Fund |
| Group | Holding | Institution | University |
| Pakistan / Pakistani | State | Islam / Islamic | National |
| Name of any country | Trust | Security | Securities |
| Name of any nationality | New / Modern | Inc. / Corp / LLC / LLP | Gymkhana |
| Pakistan + (other country) | A / An / The | Enterprise | Arms / Ammunition |
| Famous Personality | AI | Industry / Factory / Mills | Commodity / Commodities |
| Corporation | International | Partnership / Firm | Pay / Paisa / Payment |
| Society | Company / Co. | Proprietor | Rupee / Money |
| Registered Brands | Registered Patents | Azad Kashmir (AJK) | Gilgit Baltistan |
| Registered Trademarks | Registered Designs | KPK | Baluschistan |
| Registered Copyrights | Registered Artworks | FATA / FANA | Sindh / Punjab |
Source references
Legal References are:
- Section 10 of the Companies Act 2017
- 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 suggested company name 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.
