Lawyer Services Pakistan advises foreign and overseas-Pakistani investors on structuring investment in Pakistan, SECP and Board of Investment registration, and profit repatriation. Many investment problems trace back to one thing: the structure was not set up correctly at the start.
Pakistan generally permits foreign ownership of up to 100% in most sectors, but “allowed in principle” and “set up correctly” are different things. Getting the entity structure, SECP registration and repatriation route right from day one helps avoid disputes with regulators and partners later.
What we handle
- Entity structuring and SECP registration. Choosing the right vehicle, such as a wholly owned subsidiary, joint venture or branch office, and registering it with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan under the Companies Act 2017.
- Board of Investment approvals. Sector-specific approvals and facilitation through the Board of Investment (BOI), including coordination with the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC) where relevant.
- Investor protections. Advising on the statutory protections available to foreign investors under Pakistan’s foreign investment laws, including the Protection of Economic Reforms Act 1992.
- Profit repatriation and foreign exchange compliance. Structuring the return of capital and profits in line with State Bank of Pakistan exchange regulations.
- Regulatory and sector compliance. Ongoing advice on SECP, Competition Commission and sector-regulator requirements as the investment operates.
Why this needs a lawyer, not just an accountant
Many investment disputes do not start as legal disputes. They start as a structure chosen for convenience that did not account for repatriation rules or sector-specific restrictions. By the time the problem surfaces, unwinding it usually costs far more than setting it up correctly would have. See also our Company Law and Taxation Laws pages, which cover closely related questions.
Investment Matters: FAQs
Can a foreign investor own 100% of a company in Pakistan?
In most sectors, yes. Pakistan generally permits up to 100% foreign ownership, although some sectors carry specific restrictions or approval requirements. The right structure depends on the sector and the investor’s objectives.
What is the Board of Investment’s role?
The Board of Investment is Pakistan’s investment promotion body. It facilitates approvals and coordinates with federal and provincial authorities. For large or strategic investments, matters may also route through the Special Investment Facilitation Council.
Can profits be repatriated out of Pakistan?
Profits and capital can generally be repatriated, subject to State Bank of Pakistan exchange regulations and any conditions that apply to the sector. Setting this up correctly at the outset avoids delays when repatriation is actually needed.
Structuring an investment in Pakistan? Talk to us first.
Get the structure right before you need to unwind it. Call +92-300-4966006, message us on WhatsApp, or request a free consultation.
Information on this page is general and is not legal advice. Contacting us does not create a lawyer-client relationship.