Laws for registration of NGO and NPO in Pakistan?

Online Questions & AnswersLaws for registration of NGO and NPO in Pakistan?
Aiza Shah asked 2 years ago
Please mention the registration and working laws for Non-profit Organisations & Non-governmental Organisations.

3 Answers
Attorney Staff answered 2 years ago
In Pakistan there are numbers of laws for registration of non-profit organizations including the prominent Statutes as
The Societies Registration Act, 1860,
The Trusts Act, 1882,
The Co-operative Societies Act, 1925,
Trade Organizations Ordinance, 2007, etc.
Companies ordinance 1984 is revoked by Companies Act, 2017,
The Association with Charitable and Not for Profit Objects Regulations, 2018.

Attorney Staff answered 1 year ago
In Pakistan, Non-Governmental Organizations (NGOs) and Non-Profit Organizations (NPOs) are regulated by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) under the Companies Act, 2017. The following are the laws and regulations for the registration of NGOs and NPOs in Pakistan:

  1. Registration under the Companies Act, 2017: NGOs and NPOs can be registered as companies under the Companies Act, 2017. The registration process involves the following steps:

a. Choose a unique name for the company and reserve it with the SECP.
b. File the necessary documents, including the Memorandum of Association and Articles of Association, with the SECP.
c. Pay the required fee to the SECP.
d. Obtain a certificate of incorporation from the SECP.

  1. Registration with the Social Welfare Department: NGOs and NPOs are also required to register with the Social Welfare Department of the relevant province. The registration process involves submitting the necessary documents, including a copy of the certificate of incorporation, and paying the required fee.
  2. Registration with the Federal Board of Revenue: NGOs and NPOs are required to register with the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) for tax purposes. The registration process involves submitting the necessary documents, including a copy of the certificate of incorporation, and obtaining a National Tax Number (NTN).
  3. Compliance with other laws and regulations: NGOs and NPOs are also required to comply with other laws and regulations, including those related to income tax, sales tax, and labor laws.

It is important to note that the registration process and requirements for NGOs and NPOs may vary depending on the nature of the organization and the province in which it is registered. Therefore, it is recommended to consult with a legal professional or the relevant government authority for guidance on the registration process and requirements for NGOs and NPOs in Pakistan.

Attorney Staff answered 1 year ago
The Association with Charitable and Not for Profit Objects Regulations, 2018 is a set of regulations introduced by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) to promote transparency and accountability in the management of charitable and non-profit organizations (NPOs) in Pakistan.
The regulations aim to provide a framework for the registration, governance, and operations of associations that have charitable or not-for-profit objectives. The regulations apply to all associations in Pakistan that seek to operate for charitable or not-for-profit purposes, regardless of their legal form, such as trusts, societies, foundations, or other similar entities.
Under these regulations, charitable and NPOs are required to register with the SECP and comply with a set of reporting and disclosure requirements, including:

  1. Submission of annual audited financial statements, including details of all income and expenditures.
  2. Disclosure of details of all members of the association, including their names, addresses, and other relevant details.
  3. Disclosure of all sources of funding and donations received by the association.
  4. Disclosure of all expenditures made by the association, including details of all payments made to staff, contractors, or other parties.
  5. Disclosure of all activities carried out by the association, including details of any partnerships or collaborations with other organizations.
  6. Compliance with other laws and regulations, including those related to taxation, labor laws, and anti-money laundering.

The purpose of these regulations is to ensure that charitable and NPOs in Pakistan operate in a transparent and accountable manner, and that their activities are aligned with their stated objectives. By promoting good governance and accountability, the regulations aim to increase public trust in charitable and NPOs, and encourage greater public participation in these organizations.