Pakistan is primarily a third-world country, where the government is often lacking in its duty of providing citizens with basic amenities. For example, healthcare, education, and charity consider an exclusive domain of governments in developed countries. But with the budget constraints and scarce resources allocated to these developmental areas of Pakistan’s economy, individuals forces to take matters into their own hands. Also, private organizations formed by such individuals for society’s betterment and welfare are knowing as non-governmental organizations (NGOs) or not-for-profit organizations (NPOs).

NGO Registration

The legal framework which allows NGOs to function is different from for-profit organizations. Moreover, there are specific laws in the country for registering NGOs and keeping them functional as per the defined regulations.

1. The Societies Registration Act, 1860
2. The Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration & Control) Ordinance, 1961
3. The Companies Ordinance, 1984 (section 42)
4. The Trust Act, 1882 this act sets out the private trust with a wide range of purposes

Therefore, after assessing the objectives & plans of the NGO, we at KLA Pakistan will suggest relevant acts or ordinances get your NGO register. Also, we carry out operations and activities in Pakistan.

Departments Involved

The government of Pakistan engages in making policies to run the federal system. Therefore, the state decides how much power is to NGOs to keep them functional. Also, to help them play a significant role in the country.

For NGO registration in Pakistan, two departments administer and monitor the organizations under the Voluntary Social Welfare Agencies (Registration and Control) Ordinance 1961. These departments include:

• The Ministry of Social Welfare and Special Education
• The Provincial Social Welfare Department – Sindh Government

In addition, the NGO registration in Karachi, Pakistan, under the Societies Registration Act 1860, is done through the District Offices of the Industry Department.

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is responsible for issuing a license for NGO registration in Karachi. However, certain conditions apply to grant the license. So, the Not-for-profit companies must apply for a license from the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Certain conditions must meet before the SEC grants a License.

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NGO REGISTRATION UNDER SOCIETIES ACT 1860

• THE MEMORANDUM OF ASSOCIATION (Qty 02)
• THE ARTICLES OF ASSOCIATION (Qty 02)
• ATTESTED CNIC COPIES OF ALL THE ORGANIZATION’S MEMBERS (Qty 02)
• THE MEETING OF MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY’S 1st MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
• INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF NGO:
  • REGISTERED ADDRESS OF THE NGO
  • CORRESPONDENCE EMAIL ADDRESS
  • CORRESPONDENCE TELEPHONE
  • LETTERHEAD OF THE NGO
  • WEBSITE URL OF THE NGO
• THE OFFICE BEARERS LIST WITH MOBILE NUMBER – SIGNED COPIES (Qty 02)
• THE GENERAL BODY MEMBERS LIST
• CONTACT NUMBERS AND VALID EMAIL ADDRESSES OF ALL MEMBERS
• LIKEWISE, PROPERTY PAPERS OR LEASE AGREEMENT OF THE OFFICE PREMISES

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NGO REGISTRATION UNDER VOLUNTARY SOCIAL WELFARE AGENCIES ORDINANCE, 1961

• THE CONSTITUTION OF THE NGO (Qty 02)
• FORM B SIGNED COPIES (Qty 02)
• ATTESTED CNIC COPIES OF ALL THE ORGANIZATION’S MEMBERS (Qty 02)
• ALSO, THE MEETING OF MINUTES OF THE SOCIETY’S 1st MEETING OF THE MEMBERS
• INFORMATION IN RESPECT OF NGO
  • REGISTERED ADDRESS OF THE NGO
  • CORRESPONDENCE EMAIL ADDRESS
  • CORRESPONDENCE TELEPHONE
  • LETTERHEAD OF THE NGO
  • WEBSITE URL OF THE NGO
• AND, THE OFFICE BEARERS LIST WITH MOBILE NUMBER – SIGNED COPIES (Qty 02)
• THE GENERAL BODY MEMBERS LIST
• CONTACT NUMBERS AND VALID EMAIL ADDRESSES OF ALL MEMBERS
• PROPERTY PAPERS OR LEASE AGREEMENT OF THE OFFICE PREMISES

DOCUMENT REQUIRED FOR NGO REGISTRATION UNDER THE TRUST ACT, 1882

• TRUST DEED DEFINES THE DETAILS OF PROPERTIES, OBJECTIVES & OTHER DETAILS ABOUT THE TRUST
• PARTICULARS OF DOCUMENTS CREATING THE TRUST
• MOREOVER, PARTICULARS OF THE TRUSTEES AND THE BENEFICIARIES
• DETAILS OF PROPERTY DEVOTED FOR TRUST

DOCUMENTS REQUIRED FOR NGO REGISTRATION UNDER THE COMPANY ORDINANCE, 1984

• APPLICATION FOR AVAILABILITY OF NAME
• BANK CHALLAN OF PKR 25,000
• SIMILARLY, LIST OF PROMOTERS OF THE ASSOCIATION WITH THEIR OCCUPATIONS AND ADDRESSES
• CNICS (color) OF EACH PROMOTER
• NAMES OF COMPANIES, ASSOCIATIONS, AND OTHER INSTITUTIONS IN WHICH THE PROMOTERS HOLDS ANY OFFICE STATING THE OFFICE HELD (POSITION / DESIGNATION IN EACH CASE
• DECLARATION BY THE APPOINTMENT PERSON FOR THE AUTHENTICITY OF THE DOCUMENTS
• ALSO, UNDERTAKING FROM EACH PROMOTER IN RESPECT TO EXPERTISE AND INITIAL DONATION HAS TO BE MADE
• THERE MUST BE AT LEAST 3 SUBSCRIBERS / MEMBERS / PROMOTERS OF THE COMPANY AND WHO MUST HAVE SUFFICIENT SKILLS, EXPERTISE, AND RESOURCES FOR THE ATTAINMENT OF THE OBJECT OF THE PROPOSED COMPANY
• SIMILARLY, STATEMENT OF WORK TO BE DONE
• ESTIMATE / PROJECTIONS OF THE FUTURE INCOMES
• RESUME OF ALL PROMOTERS
• PROPERTY PAPERS OR LEASE AGREEMENT OF THE OFFICE PREMISES

THINGS TO BE MAINTAIN

• Annual Progress / Audit Reports, details of projects/services, bank accounts, list of office bearers / executive body members, and contact numbers must be provided to Register Joint Stock Companies every year to avoid legal proceedings.
• However, The office of the NGO shall be in Commercial Area.
• At least three Office Bearers should sign every page of the Article of Association.
• In the case of NPO (under The Companies Ordinance, 1984), no change in the Memorandum and Articles of Association should make except with the Commission’s prior approval.
• Moreover, Patronage of any government or authority, express or implied, should not claim unless such government or authority has signified its consent to that in writing.
• The company shall not itself set up or otherwise engage in industrial and commercial activities or any manner function as a trade organization.
• The company shall not exploit or offend the religious susceptibilities of the people.
• The income and any profits of a company should apply solely towards the promotion of objects of the company, and no portion thereof should distribute, paid, or transferred directly or indirectly dividend, bonus, or otherwise profit to the members of the company or their family members.
• Likewise, the company shall comply with such conditions as may be imposed by the Commission from time to time.

How Can KLA Pakistan Help?

With such extensive documentation compliances required for the registration of an NGO or NPO, it’s no wonder that there is a lot of confusion on how to go about this process.

However, with KLA’s expertise and its team of dedicated consultants, you can rest assured that we will take care of this process for you and make your experience as hassle-free and efficient as possible.