NGOs, NPOs & SECTION 42

Build a compliant, transparent and sustainable nonprofit organisation

Formation, governance, taxation, donor reporting and operational support for charities, foundations, associations and social-impact organisations in Pakistan.

LEGAL FORM

Choose the right nonprofit structure

Nonprofit and charitable activities in Pakistan may be organised through a Section 42 company, society, trust, social-welfare agency or another structure permitted by the applicable federal or provincial law. The appropriate form depends on the organisation’s objects, geographic scope, funding sources, governance model and intended tax treatment.

A Section 42 company is licensed by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan before incorporation. Its income and profits must be applied toward its stated not-for-profit objects and cannot be distributed to members as dividends.

Section 42 company

A formal SECP-licensed company structure for charitable and other not-for-profit objects, with corporate governance and continuing filing obligations.

Society

A membership-based structure often used for education, welfare, culture, professional and community purposes, subject to the relevant registration authority.

Trust

A trustee-based structure used to hold and administer assets or funds for stated charitable purposes.

Social-welfare agency

A voluntary-welfare registration route governed by the relevant federal or provincial framework.

SECTION 42 SERVICES

SECP licensing, incorporation and continuing compliance

CBMC assists with the proposed name, objects, promoter information, constitutional documents, governance arrangements, licence application, incorporation and post-incorporation registrations. We also support annual returns, statutory records, financial statements, audit coordination, board documentation and compliance with licence conditions.

Pre-application review

Review of objects, promoters, governance, expected funding, operating model and documentation readiness.

Licence application

Preparation and review of required applications, declarations, profiles, undertakings and constitutional clauses.

Incorporation support

Company registration after licence approval, followed by tax and operational registrations.

Compliance calendar

Board meetings, annual filings, financial statements, audit, licence renewal and other recurring requirements.

NPO TAX STATUS

FBR compliance, section 100C and PCP certification

Legal registration and tax recognition are separate processes. Formation as a Section 42 company, society, trust or welfare agency does not automatically provide exemption or a tax credit.

Eligible organisations may seek the tax treatment available to nonprofit organisations under the Income Tax Ordinance, 2001, including section 100C, subject to the conditions, approvals, filing obligations, application-of-income rules and restrictions applicable at the relevant time.

The Pakistan Centre for Philanthropy (PCP) is designated by the Federal Board of Revenue as a certification agency. PCP certification assesses governance, financial management and programme delivery. Certification can support credibility and the relevant NPO-status process, but final tax recognition and treatment remain governed by FBR law, approvals and continuing compliance.

FBR registration and returns

NTN, annual income-tax returns, withholding statements, reconciliations and response to notices.

Section 100C readiness

Eligibility assessment, review of governing documents, application of funds, spending conditions and annual evidence.

PCP certification support

Readiness review, governance records, policies, financial information, programme evidence and certification coordination.

Donor tax documentation

Supporting records, utilisation reports, confirmations and reconciliations required by donors and regulators.

GOVERNANCE & CONTROLS

Protect the mission, funds and public trust

CBMC helps establish practical controls suited to the organisation’s scale, funding and risk profile.

Board governance

Board calendars, agendas, minutes, committees, reserved matters and conflict-of-interest declarations.

Financial controls

Budgets, delegated authority, procurement, banking, payments, expenses and asset safeguards.

Grant management

Restricted-fund accounting, project budgets, cost allocation, utilisation reporting and donor conditions.

Policies and risk

Anti-fraud, whistleblowing, safeguarding, data protection, risk registers and incident escalation.

ACCOUNTING & REPORTING

Produce transparent, donor-ready financial information

We provide bookkeeping, chart-of-accounts design, fund and project accounting, management reporting, payroll, year-end accounts and audit support. Reports may be structured by donor, programme, grant, location, funding restriction and cost centre.

Fund accounting

Separate unrestricted, restricted, designated and project funds with clear audit trails.

Management reports

Budget comparisons, programme spending, cash flow, grant balances and management dashboards.

Audit support

Schedules, confirmations, reconciliations, supporting records and control documentation.

Payroll and HR records

Contracts, attendance, payroll calculations, deductions, benefits and personnel documentation.

LEGAL NOTICE

Current-law verification

This page is general information and not a legal opinion, tax ruling or confirmation of NPO status. Requirements vary by legal form, jurisdiction, activities, funding and current law. CBMC verifies the current SECP, FBR, PCP and relevant provincial requirements before undertaking an engagement.