مكتب علاء مهرة

100 Business Ideas To Start In Pakistan: Complete Checklist And Startup Costs

I built my first business by accident. I ordered one necklace online and received a box of 100. Instead of returning it, I sold them. That mistake paid my rent, then funded inventory, then became an e‑commerce company that sold thousands of items. If you’re in Pakistan right now with limited capital and big drive, I know exactly how that feels. This guide lays out 100 business ideas to start in Pakistan, the real startup costs, and a complete checklist so you can move from talk to sales.

H2: Why Pakistan Is Prime For New Businesses Right Now

– SMEs account for about 90% of businesses and roughly 40% of GDP, and they employ most of the non‑agricultural workforce. That’s a giant market for B2B and consumer services.
– Over 130 million 3G/4G subscribers according to PTA 2024. Digital buyers are growing fast via Daraz, WhatsApp, Instagram Shops, and Raast payments.
– IT and IT‑enabled services exports crossed the multi‑billion mark in FY24, and Pakistan ranks among the top countries for global freelancing. Remote services and digital products are real opportunities.
– Inflation and currency volatility force customers to seek better value. That opens doors for lean, local, efficient businesses that price smartly.

Soft CTA: If you want tailored guidance for your city, budget, and skills, book a consultation with me. I’ll help you pick the right idea and build your rollout plan.

H2: 100 Business Ideas To Start In Pakistan With Estimated Startup Costs

Note: PKR ranges are estimates. k = thousand, m = million.

H3: Online And Services
1) Freelance graphic design — PKR 40k–150k
2) Social media management — 30k–120k
3) SEO agency — 50k–200k
4) Content writing studio — 20k–80k
5) Virtual assistant services — 20k–60k
6) Web development — 60k–250k
7) App development — 100k–500k
8) Online tutoring — 20k–70k
9) YouTube channel — 30k–120k
10) Affiliate marketing — 20k–80k

H3: E‑Commerce And Online Retail
11) Daraz store — 50k–300k
12) Niche Shopify store — 80k–400k
13) Print on demand — 60k–200k
14) Facebook Marketplace trading — 30k–150k
15) Local dropshipping — 50k–200k
16) Handmade crafts store — 40k–180k
17) Thrift and preloved fashion — 30k–150k
18) Baby products online — 80k–300k
19) Perfume decants — 50k–200k
20) Mobile accessories store — 80k–250k

H3: Food And Beverage
21) Home tiffin service — 50k–200k
22) Cloud kitchen bowls — 150k–600k
23) Chai and paratha kiosk — 200k–700k
24) Fresh juice cart — 120k–300k
25) Cookies and brownies brand — 80k–220k
26) Shawarma stand — 200k–700k
27) Healthy meal prep — 120k–350k
28) Pickles and condiments — 60k–180k
29) Artisanal ice cream — 250k–900k
30) Specialty coffee cart — 300k–900k

H3: Personal Care And Health
31) Home salon — 80k–300k
32) Men’s grooming bar — 300k–900k
33) Fitness coaching online — 40k–150k
34) Yoga studio — 250k–800k
35) Physiotherapy clinic — 600k–1.8m
36) Supplements shop — 250k–800k
37) Dermatology products e‑store — 120k–450k
38) Baby spa niche — 400k–1.2m
39) Diagnostic sample pickup — 150k–500k
40) Medical transcription — 80k–250k

H3: Education And Training
41) After‑school academy — 200k–700k
42) IELTS prep center — 250k–800k
43) Quran and Arabic e‑tutoring — 40k–150k
44) Tech bootcamps — 300k–1.2m
45) Spoken English classes — 120k–350k
46) Montessori home unit — 300k–1.0m
47) Corporate training — 150k–600k
48) Online course creation — 80k–300k
49) Stationery and book shop — 250k–800k
50) Study abroad advisory — 150k–500k

H3: Home And Property Services
51) Real estate brokerage boutique — 300k–1.2m
52) Short‑term rental management — 150k–500k
53) Property photography — 120k–350k
54) Interior design studio — 300k–900k
55) Handyman on demand — 120k–400k
56) Cleaning services — 150k–450k
57) Solar sales and install — 500k–2.5m
58) Gardening and landscaping — 150k–600k
59) Pest control — 200k–700k
60) Moving and packing — 300k–900k

H3: Manufacturing And Fabrication
61) Paper bag manufacturing — 500k–2.0m
62) Detergent and soaps — 400k–1.5m
63) Spice grinding and packaging — 300k–1.2m
64) Candle making — 150k–500k
65) Leather goods small batch — 400k–1.5m
66) Garment stitching unit — 600k–2.0m
67) PPE and uniforms — 500k–1.8m
68) Plastic injection products — 1.5m–5.0m
69) Modular furniture workshop — 700k–2.5m
70) Water purification plant — 1.2m–4.0m

H3: Agriculture And Food Supply
71) Hydroponic greens — 600k–2.0m
72) Organic vegetable farm — 500k–1.8m
73) Poultry broiler unit — 700k–2.5m
74) Dairy mini farm — 800k–3.0m
75) Beekeeping and honey — 200k–700k
76) Fish farming — 700k–2.5m
77) Spice cultivation and drying — 400k–1.5m
78) Mushroom farming — 300k–900k
79) Mini flour mill — 1.0m–3.5m
80) Cold storage rental — 1.5m–5.0m

H3: Auto And Mobility
81) Bike repair and spares — 250k–800k
82) Car detailing studio — 300k–1.0m
83) Ride share fleet management — 800k–3.0m
84) Last‑mile delivery bikes — 700k–2.0m
85) EV charging station pilot — 1.5m–4.0m
86) Tyre shop — 600k–1.8m
87) Car accessories e‑store — 150k–500k
88) Driving school — 500k–1.2m
89) Auto glass and tint — 400k–1.2m
90) GPS tracking services — 300k–1.0m

H3: Creative And Tech
91) Digital marketing agency — 250k–900k
92) Video production house — 400k–1.5m
93) Photography studio — 250k–900k
94) Animation and VFX — 600k–2.5m
95) AR filters and lenses — 200k–700k
96) SaaS micro product — 300k–1.2m
97) Cybersecurity audits — 300k–1.0m
98) Data analytics consulting — 300k–1.0m
99) Game development studio — 700k–2.5m
100) Event management — 300k–1.0m

H2: Startup Costs In Pakistan: What To Budget

– Business registration: SECP name reservation PKR 200–500. Private limited registration often PKR 1,800–7,000 depending on authorized capital. Sole proprietor uses NTN only.
– Tax IDs and sales tax: NTN is free with FBR. Sales tax registration with FBR or provincial authorities is free. Factor monthly filings and accountant fees.
– Licenses and permits: Food authorities like PFA, SFA, KPFA issue licenses that can run PKR 5,000–50,000 depending on risk category. Health, education, water, and manufacturing may need additional NOCs or PSQCA certifications.
– Bank account: minimum opening balance often PKR 1,000–5,000. Merchant gateways may require security deposits or rolling reserves.
– Branding and digital: domain and hosting PKR 5,000–20,000 yearly. Logo and starter brand kit PKR 20,000–150,000.
– Equipment and fit‑out: keep it lean. Start with secondhand where safety allows.
– Rent and deposits: 2–6 months security for shops. Home‑based cuts this to near zero.
– Hiring: entry roles from PKR 35,000–90,000 per month per head depending on city.
– Marketing: launch budget PKR 20,000–200,000 for ads, influencers, sampling.
– Compliance and insurance: professional liability or fire coverage is smart even if not mandatory.
– Import duties and taxes: many goods face customs 0–20% plus 18% sales tax and withholding at import. Price your margins with currency volatility in mind.

H2: Complete Checklist To Launch In Pakistan

H3: Validate Quickly
– Talk to 25 buyers before you spend. Use WhatsApp communities, Facebook groups, and Daraz search volumes to test demand.
– Pre‑sell with a waitlist or sample day. Revenue before rent saves you.

H3: Register Right
– Pick structure: sole proprietor for speed, private limited for credibility and partners.
– Secure NTN with FBR. Register sales tax if you cross thresholds or are in taxable categories.
– Get licenses: food authority, trade license from your city, sector NOCs where needed.

H3: Set Up Money Flows
– Open a business bank account. Activate Raast, debit POS, and a gateway for online payments.
– Separate personal and business cash from day one.

H3: Build Smart Operations
– Supplier contracts with MOQs, lead times, and returns spelled out.
– Basic SOPs: how orders are taken, fulfilled, and refunded. Keep it one page per process.

H3: Go To Market
– Claim Google Business Profile. Set up Instagram, Facebook Shop, WhatsApp Business.
– Launch offer with a clear unit economics target: CAC must be less than 30% of gross margin.

H3: Track What Matters
– Daily: cash, orders, cancellations.
– Weekly: gross margin, ad ROAS, repeat rate.
– Monthly: inventory turns, payroll productivity, and runway.

Soft CTA: If you want my launch checklist template, book a consultation with me and I will tailor it to your idea, budget, and city.

H2: A Quick Lesson From My First Win And First Loss

I once turned an accidental order of 100 necklaces into thousands of sales by keeping it simple. I listed, priced to move, reinvested profits, and learned customers faster than my competition. A year later I lost most of my stock trading gains because I chased hype without a plan. Since then I build with rules: validate first, protect margin, control cash, and design a clear exit or scale path. In Pakistan, those rules matter even more when prices move and supply chains stretch.

H2: FAQs About Starting A Small Business In Pakistan

Q: What are the most profitable small business ideas in Pakistan with low investment?
A: Home tiffin, Daraz private label, social media management, tutoring, cleaning services, and niche Shopify stores are strong. They need PKR 30k–300k to start and can reach profitability in 60–120 days if you validate demand and control CAC.

Q: How much does it cost to register a company with SECP in Pakistan?
A: Online name reservation is often PKR 200–500. Private limited registration commonly ranges PKR 1,800–7,000 based on authorized capital. Add a few thousand for MOA/AOA drafting if you use a consultant.

Q: Which businesses can I start from home in Pakistan without a shop?
A: Online tutoring, content services, dropshipping, home bakery, candle making, affiliate marketing, and virtual assistance. Check local bylaws if you expect walk‑in customers or food handling.

Q: What licenses do I need for a food business in Pakistan?
A: You typically need a food authority license from PFA, SFA, or KPFA, a trade license from your city, and food handler cards. Packaging and water products may require PSQCA certifications.

Q: Is e‑commerce profitable in Pakistan in 2025?
A: Yes if you pick a niche, manage logistics, and use cashless payments. Digital adoption continues to rise, with Raast accelerating bank‑to‑bank transfers and marketplaces expanding outside Tier‑1 cities.

Q: How do I open a business bank account in Pakistan?
A: Register your entity or as a sole proprietor with NTN, bring CNIC, proof of address, and registration documents. Ask for merchant services, Raast enablement, and an online portal.

Q: What is the minimum investment required to start a manufacturing business in Pakistan?
A: Simple lines like candles or spices can start at PKR 300k–1.2m. Capital‑heavy lines like injection molding or water plants can require PKR 1.2m–5.0m plus working capital.

Q: How can overseas Pakistanis start a business in Pakistan remotely?
A: Appoint a local director or manager, register with SECP, open a local bank account, and set up cloud bookkeeping and a 3PL. Start with an online or service business to reduce operational complexity.

Final CTA: You have 100 clear paths. Pick one, validate this week, and start selling next week. If you want me to walk you through the idea, costs, licenses, suppliers, and a 90‑day plan, contact me to book a consultation.

About The Author’s Story
I came to the UAE in 2005, graduated as a civil engineer, then earned a master’s in project management. I quit engineering, launched an e‑commerce venture after an accidental bulk order, lost big in day trading in 2014, and rebuilt through real estate and business the disciplined way. I later founded Uncle Fluffy, turned my knowledge into investor consultations, and in 2022 launched Alaa Mohra Properties, now an award‑winning Dubai agency. Those early scrappy lessons are the same ones I share with founders in Pakistan today. My name is Alaa Mohra, and I help people launch with clarity, proof, and profit.