A Comprehensive guide on SECP prohibited words 2024

Here is the  complete information on SECP Prohibited words for company names in Pakistan.

SECP, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan. is the regulator of the corporate sector and capital market of Pakistan. SECP has authority regarding the matters starting from registration of corporates and ending at their winding up. 

Under the Section 10 of Companies Act 2017 and the Companies Regulations 2024, the Commission has issued a list of prohibited words. Such words and expressions are not to be used in names of the proposed and already registered companies. 

Acceptable name for companies

Section 10 and SECP practices have set basic rules for the names of companies in Pakistan. As per this section, the names must be:

1. 1. Unique.
2. 2. Appropriate.
3. 3. Compliant with the national security of the country.
4. 4. And they must not be identical to the name of already registered companies in Pakistan. 

A summary of SECP Prohibited Words and Expressions

Under section 10 and the Companies Regulations 2024, the commission has issued a list of certain words and phrases which can not be used in name. However, you may use these words in accordance with guidance of the SECP. 

1. 1. Federal Government, Provincial Government
2. 2. Words showing any link / association / terms with any foreign government
3. 3. IMF, World Bank, UNO, OIC, SAARC, IDB, Red Cross, Red Crescent etc. 
4. 4. Pakistan and name of any other country
5. 5. Words showing any link / association / terms with any political personality
6. 6. State, Nation, National, Authority
7. 7. Senate, Parliament / Parliamentary, Cabinet, National Assembly, Provincial Assembly
8. 8. Statute, Statutory
9. 9. Court, Judiciary, Judge, Jury
10. 10. Administrator
11. 11. Commission, Authority
12. 12. Registered, Register
13. 13. Co-operative, Corporation
14. 14. Bureau, Division, Department, Undertaking
15. 15. Municipal, Union
16. 16. Association, Foundation, Trust, Society
17. 17. Council, Chamber, Board, Chapter
18. 18. Assurance, Assurer, Insurance, Insurer, Re-Assurance, Re-Assurer, Reinsurance, Reinsurer
19. 19. Bank, Banking, Banker
20. 20. Bahria, Askari, Fauji, Fazaiya, Cadet, Armed Forces or Forces, Army, Navy, Air Force, Shaheen, Military, Defence
21. 21. Charter, Chartered
22. 22. Corporation, Group, Holding
23. 23. Exchange, Bourse
24. 24. Fund, Group, Holding
25. 25. Institution, University
26. 26. Islam, Islamic and any other names related other religions
27. 27. Gymkhana
28. 28. Arms and Ammunition 
29. 29. Commodity, Commodities
30. 30. Pay, Payment, Paisa, Money
31. 31. Registered Trademark, Copyrights, Patents etc. 
32. 32. Names of famous or distinct personalities
33. 33. Words or Expressions not present in dictionary of English or Urdu or any other language 
34. 34. Federation, Federal, Province, Provincial, Sindh, Punjab, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa or KPK, FATA, Gilgit Baltistan or FANA, Azad Jammu & Kashmir or AJK
35. 35. Institute or Institution, University
36. 36. Finance, Financial, Investment Finance, Investment Advisory, Leasing, Asset Management, Housing Finance, Modaraba, Venture Capital, Private Equity
37. 37. Country name or nationality other than Pakistan
38. 38. New, Modern, The, Al, International, Company, Co., Inc., Firm, Partnership, LLP, LLC, Proprietor, Enterprise, Mills, Factory

Words and expressions not allowed in any case and at any cost

However, there are certain cases where the registrar and commission do not facilitate. In such cases, promoters (persons willing to form a company) are not given green signal. Below is the list these instances:

1. 1. Inappropriate words and expressions 
2. 2. Deceptive
3. 3. Fraudulent
4. 4. Name is designed to exploit cultural values and norms 
5. 5. It is against the national security, interests and sovereignty of Pakistan
6. 6. Exact copy of already registered company
7. 7. Totally identical to the name of already registered company

How to get approval on SECP prohibited words in company name

Based on our experience and practices of SECP, we have compiled a document. It contains guidance on the above listed words on a case to case basis. On it we have also published a detailed article.

Click below on the button to view and download guidance. This file is available so you can save in your pocket.

Source references 

ConSerIC is sharing source links and references.

1. 1. Section 10 of the Companies Act 2017
2. 2. The Companies Regulation 2024
3. 3. SECP decisions over the time
4. 4. ConSerIC experience and learning over the time