Firm Registration Services - Ayesha Khalid Law Associates
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Firm Registration Services

Sole Proprietor, Partnership & AOP — Legally Registered, Fully Compliant

Before a business can open a bank account, enter into formal contracts, or register with tax authorities, it must have a legal existence. In Pakistan, unincorporated businesses operate as sole proprietorships, partnerships, or Associations of Persons (AOPs) — each with distinct legal characteristics, liability profiles, and tax treatment. Choosing the right structure for your business and registering it correctly from the outset avoids costly legal complications later.

Ayesha Khalid Law Associates handles firm registration across all unincorporated business structures. For sole proprietorships, we assist with trade name registration, NTN registration under the business name, and opening of a business bank account. For partnerships, we draft a comprehensive Partnership Deed compliant with the Partnership Act 1932, register it with the Registrar of Firms, and complete all ancillary tax and commercial registrations. For AOPs — the preferred structure for professional practices, joint ventures, and investment groups — we advise on the AOP agreement, FBR registration, and the distinct tax regime applicable to AOPs under the Income Tax Ordinance.

We also handle conversions between business structures — from sole proprietorship to private limited company as a business grows, from AOP to formal partnership as membership expands — ensuring that the legal and tax transition is managed smoothly. Our registration services are supported by ongoing legal advisory, so that as your business evolves, your legal structure evolves with it. Starting right and growing right is the foundation of every successful business, and Ayesha Khalid Law Associates is the legal partner that ensures you do both.

Frequently Asked Questions

A sole proprietorship is owned by one person who bears unlimited personal liability. A partnership is owned by two or more persons under a Partnership Deed, with each partner bearing liability. An AOP (Association of Persons) is similar to a partnership but broader — it can include companies, trusts, and individuals as members, and is a separate FBR taxpayer.
While an oral partnership is legally recognised under the Partnership Act 1932, a written and registered Partnership Deed is strongly advisable. It specifies profit-sharing ratios, management roles, and exit procedures, and is required by banks, tax authorities, and counterparties for formal dealings.
Sole proprietorships are not required to register with SECP (only companies register there), but the sole proprietor must register with FBR for NTN and tax purposes. Some cities also require a local business license from the municipal authority. We handle all applicable registrations.
An AOP is taxed at graduated rates under the Income Tax Ordinance, similar to individuals, rather than at the flat corporate rate applicable to companies. Individual members of an AOP also have tax obligations on their share of AOP income. The tax treatment of an AOP requires careful planning, and we advise on the most efficient structure for each client's circumstances.

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Speak to a specialist today — your first consultation is confidential and obligation-free.

Office Hours: Mon–Sat 9:00 AM – 7:00 PM  |  Rawalpindi / Islamabad, Pakistan