Success tips when doing business in Pakistan in 2024

1. We encourage our clients to consistently use and sign contracts of service when doing business in Pakistan since the companies there are not that well-versed with international business and western law practices;
2. It is important to find out about the registrations and licenses which apply to your firm. This can be a complex area, as local, state, territory and federal governments handle registration and licensing for various aspects of your business;
3. Foreign investors interested in incorporated in Pakistan should be aware of the Sharia law practices as legal system is influenced by the Sharia court;
4. Islam being the predominant religion in the country, has the holy month of Ramadan with fasting practiced by most Pakistanis. Foreigners are not expected to fast but are expected to not eat, drink, or smoke in public. Be prepared for many businesses to be closed or for normal operations to slow down for several days;
5. Islam culture is also pervasive in other ways. The call to prayer is heard 5 times a day and nearly all citizens will stop to pray during these times. Women are expected to dress conservatively and to avoid making eye contact with men. Not all Pakistani women are comfortable shaking hands with foreign men. You need to wait for the women to put her hand out first before putting forth your own hand;
6. It is common for men and women to sit at different areas of the office. You need to designate part of your office where all the men would sit and another part where the women would sit;

Interesting facts about Pakistan?

1. The Pakistan army is the sixth largest military force in the world;
2. The world’s second highest mountain K2 is located in Pakistan;
3. Gawadar, the world’s largest deep sea port is in Pakistan;
4. With 96% of the population being Muslim, Pakistan has the second largest Muslim population in the world;
5. About one fifth of the population live below the poverty line of US$1.25 per day;
6. About 1.7million refugees from Afghanistan live in Pakistan;
7. Pakistan has the 6^th largest population in the world at 177 million people;
8. Pakistan is the first Islamic country to attain nuclear power;
9. Doing Business in Pakistan is ranked 138 out of 189 in the 2016 Ease of Doing Business Survey ranking;
10. Approximately 30% of the foreign investments in Pakistan are in the telecommunications industry.