Pakistan client case studies in 2024

  • USA-listed company expands into Pakistan

    Background

    • In 2019, Healy Consultants Group advised our Client, a USA-listed company, regarding their expansion plans into multiple countries in Asia Pacific.
    • In September 2020, our Client added Pakistan to the list of engagements to be project managed by Healy Consultants Group;
    • Unfortunately, foreigners require approval from the Pakistan government before being legally appointed as shareholder or director of an entity in Pakistan. This process takes a minimum of three months.
    • To simplify business setup in view of the above, we recommended to fast-register a company with our professional passive nominee shareholders and directors. Click on this link to view more information on this strategy.
    • By end-September 2020, our Client agreed with the above recommendations, and settled Healy Consultants Group’s engagement fees for such a setup.

    Engagement planning

    • Our team provided our Client with a detailed project plan outlining i) engagement process ii) expected timelines and iii) foreseeable challenges and solutions during the Pakistan engagement.
    • We also supplied complete KYC documentation on the two nominees acting as temporary shareholders and directors for the business.

    Pakistan company registration

    • The registration of the Pakistan entity by our nominees took two weeks, as transparently advertised on our Pakistan webpages.
    • We thereafter completed i) the appointment of a legal advisor (mandatory for all companies in Pakistan) and ii) completed tax registration for the business.
    • By then, our Client, uncomfortable with the requirement to undergo a security clearance with the Pakistani government, required us to supply nominee services for a longer duration. We agreed to do so.

    Corporate bank account opening

    • As agreed with our Client, we approached Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) Pakistan. Thanks to our relationship with this bank, corporate bank account numbers were released within just one week.
    • We thereafter requested our Client’s preferred bank signatories to sign a few forms, required by SCB Pakistan, relating to their appointment.
    • In line with our ‘no travel’ strategy, the bank signatories were successfully appointed without them having to travel to Islamabad.
    • Our Client received online tokens and passwords and integrated the bank account to their existing banking systems. From that date onwards, our Client was able to use the online banking to complete transactions with their suppliers, customers and free lancers in Pakistan.

    Engagement completion

    • Pakistan company setup is straightforward if you know how. See this page for more information on our recommended strategies.
  • Cyprus University setups a Pakistan company to recruit new students

    Background

    • Our Client was a Cypriot university offering undergraduate degrees in the areas of applied sciences, pharmacy, law, economics and engineering;
    • Our Client approached Healy Consultants to assist setup a marketing and representative office in several countries including Pakistan to grow the international student base joining the university either undertaking a full-time degree or attending courses on an interim exchange period;
    • After initial phone call and skype discussion, our Client settled an initial retainer fee with Healy Consultants to provide costs breakdown, timeframe to register a representative office.

    Engagement planning

    • After conducting basic research, and considering the costs, DD requirements and timeline to register a representative office, we agreed to proceed with setting up a new company in Pakistan;
    • Healy Consultants Group further advised the Client re the i) shareholder and director requirements; ii) minimum share capital requirements; iii) corporate banking considerations and iv) accounting and tax considerations;
    • Once we discussed the above in detail, Healy Consultants Group and the Client agreed to proceed further. Thereafter, our Client i) provided the signed engagement letter; ii) shared the due diligence documents and iii) settled our Pakistan invoice;
    • Healy Consultants Group prepared and emailed our Client a detailed project plan and draft business plan for the proposed entity.

    Company registration

    • Healy Consultants Group emailed our Client documents for notarization and legalization, including i) undertaking letters; ii) power of attorney; and iii) appointment of company secretary;
    • Thereafter Healy Consultants Group secured name reservation for the company with Securities and Exchange Commission (SECP). Before proceeding, Healy Consultants Group also secured NIFT digital signature certificates for all directors and shareholders;
    • Once Healy Consultants Group received the legalized documents and name approval, we submitted lodged the company incorporation application with the SECP, and received the certificate of incorporation within 2 weeks;
    • At the same time, SECP forwarded the company application to the Ministry of Interior (MOI) for security check of all foreign directors and shareholders. Within 2 months, we secured approval re the security check from the Pakistan Government as well.

    Tax registration

    • In Pakistan, all foreign directors must secure a National Tax Number (NTN) , before the same can be secured for the company. Within 3 weeks after company registration, Healy Consultants Group secured tax numbers for all directors;
    • Within 1 week thereafter, Healy Consultants Group obtained the tax identification number (TIN) for our Client’s company and emailed the same to our Client.

    Engagement completion

    • At this juncture, our Client decided not to proceed with bank account opening for their Pakistan company. Healy Consultants Group assured the Client, we will be able to assist them, whenever they were ready to proceed;
    • To comply with the Pakistan Government legal requirements, Healy Consultants Group emailed our Client a sample tax invoice for their convenience;
    • With the engagement now complete, Healy Consultants Group couriered a full company kit to our Client, including i) original corporate documents; ii) unopened government correspondences and iii) feedback form.

Contact us

For additional information on our company registration services in Pakistan, please contact our in-house country expert, Mr. Simon Guidecoq, directly:
client relationship officer - Simon