Below is a simple and practical guide to help you understand how to get approval from the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for company names that contain restricted or prohibited words, names, or expressions.
The purpose of this blog is to make the process easier. So, you can understand the logic behind SECP’s requirements. It will help you to prepare your case properly.
A Clear and Practical way to get SECP Approval on your desired name
Based on our experience, past SECP decisions, and the Companies Regulations 2024, we have outlined a simple and practical approach. It will help you to secure your proposed company name.
Before you continue, keep in mind: if the Registrar of Companies rejects your name reservation application in any of the scenarios discussed below, you still have the option to file an appeal with SECP. Once SECP reviews the appeal, its decision becomes final, and you cannot challenge it in any court unless you have strong legal grounds.
Before you review the table below, please take a moment to go through the following abbreviations for clarity:
Legends – Abbreviations
- TO – Trade Organization
- DGTO – Director General of TOs
- PSC – Public Sector Company
- NBFC – Non – Banking Finance Company
- SBP – State Bank of Pakistan
- HEC – Higher Education Commission
- IP – Intellectual Property
- REIT – Real Estate Investment Trust
| Sr. No | Words, phrases and expressions | Which company can use | How to get approval |
| 1. | Unique, Appropriate | All the companies | Provide proper justification or an explanation to the Registrar. |
| 2. | Association, Foundation | Section 42 company and Trade Organization | Licensed by SECP |
| 3. | Fund | Section 42 | Licensed by SECP |
| 3A. | Fund | Trade Organization | Licensed by DGTO |
| 3B. | Fund | PSC, NBFC (asset management services, private equity and venture capital equity) | Prior approval of SECP |
| 4. | Council | Section 42 | Licensed by SECP |
| 4A. | Council | TOs, Sport Association and Professional Body | License under Section 42 issued by SECP; DGTO approval for TOs. |
| 5. | Chamber | Any company | Company must be established as a Trade Organization. |
| 6. | Trust | NBFC undertakes REIT asset management services, private equity and venture capital equity | Prior approval of SECP. |
| 6A. | Trust | Not for profit organization | Requires Section 42 license and proper justification has to be provided to Registrar. |
| 7. | Society | Any company | Provide justification to satisfy Registrar. |
| 8. | Assurance, Assurer, Insurance, Insurer, Re-Assurance, Re-Assurer, Re-Insurance, Re-Insurer | Company undertakes business of Insurance, Assurance, Reinsurance and Re-assurance | Prior approval of SECP. |
| 9. | Board | Company desires to engage in the business of paper and board mills. | Approval of concerned Registrar (practical requirement). |
| 9A | Board | Public Sector Companies | Approval / NOC of concerned ministry may be required |
| 10. | Bahria,Askari, Fauji, Fazaiya, Cadet, Armed Forces or Forces, Army, Navy, Air Force, Shaheen, Military, Defence | Company to be established by relevant agency (of armed forces) | NOC from relevant agency. |
| 11. | Bank, Banking, Banker | Company undertakes business of banking business (Commercial banks) | Prior approval or license from SBP |
| 11A. | Prior approval of SECP | Investment bank (NBFC) | Prior approval of SECP |
| 12. | Chapter | Companies having global or local chapters | Prior permission or NOC from concerned organization. |
| 13. | Charter, Chartered | Companies with charter from govt authority | Charter, SRO, Act, or Ordinance is sufficient. |
| 14. | Corporation | All companies | Provide justification to Registrar. |
| 15. | Capital | All companies | Provide justification to Registrar. |
| 16. | Commodity / Commodities | Companies trading shares / stocks / commodities | Prior approval of SECP |
| 17. | Exchange, Bourse | Securities Exchange, Commodity Exchange, Mercantile Exchange and Exchange Company | Prior approval of relevant authority. |
| 18. | Names of famous or distinct personalities | All companies | Prior NOC or strong justification to Registrar. |
| 19. | Federation | Section 42 | Licensed by SECP |
| 19A. | Federation | Trade bodies or organizations | Licensed by DGTO |
| 20. | Federal / Province / Provincial | Companies with govt connection | Prior approval of SECP; usually granted if established under law of assembly. |
| 21. | Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or KPK, FATA, Gilgit Baltistan or FANA, Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK. | Companies with no govt connection | Provide proper justification to Registrar. |
| 21A. | Sindh, Punjab, Baluchistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or KPK, FATA, Gilgit Baltistan or FANA, Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK. | Companies with govt connection | Prior approval of SECP |
| 22. | Gymkhana | Any company | Provide appropriate reasons & justification to registrar |
| 23. | Group | Companies with multiple entities under common ownership | Provide evidence of subsidiary / associate relationships of at least two companies. |
| 24. | Holding | Any company | Must qualify under Section 2(1)(37) of the Companies Act 2017 and provide proper justification. |
| 25. | Islam / Islami and words (or expressions) related to other religions | Section 42, NGO, Trust, Society. However, such companies must undertake shariah compliant activities. | Prior approval of SECP; generally allowed for welfare and religious NPOs. |
| 26. | Institute or Institution | Any company | Provide justification to Registrar. |
| 27. | Finance, Financial, Investment Finance, Investment Advisory, Leasing, Asset Management, Housing Finance, Modaraba, Venture Capital, Private Equity | NBFC, Investment company, Modaraba company, Brokerage house | Prior approval of SECP |
| 27A. | Finance, Financial, Investment Finance, Investment Advisory, Leasing, Asset Management, Housing Finance, Modaraba, Venture Capital, Private Equity | Public sector financial institution | Prior approval of SECP or SBP as the case may be |
| 28. | Foreign country names or nationalities | Any company | Provide strong justification to Registrar. |
| 29. | Names of two different countries for example Pak and Qatar, Pak-China, Pak-Germany etc. | Joint ventures (govt, companies, individuals) | Provide documentary evidence of joint venture. |
| 30. | National | Any company (must justify govt linkage) | Approval of Registrar or SECP |
| 31. | Non-dictionary words | Any company | Provide justification to Registrar. |
| 32. | State | Public Sector companies | Approval of concerned Registrar (practical requirement). |
| 33. | Security / Securities | Any company | Provide justification to Registrar. |
| 34. | University | Company managing / establishing a university | Must follow HEC guidelines and NOC / license from HEC may be required. |
| 35. | New, Modern, The, All, International, Company, Co., Inc., Firm, Partnership, LLP, LLC, Proprietor, Enterprise, Mills, Factory | Any company | Provide justification; cannot be used to copy an existing company name. |
| 36. | Arms and Ammunition | Companies dealing in weapons and defense tech | Prior approval / NOC / license from Ministry of Interior/Defense |
| 37. | Registered Brands, Trademarks, Patents, Copyrights (Registered with the Intellectual Property Organization (IPO) of Pakistan) | Any company bearing such intellectual properties | Must provide documentary evidence of ownership / registration of IP. |
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references
Below are the legal references.
- 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. It is intended 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.
