To legally open a coffee shop in Pakistan, secure two core approvals: a provincial Food Business License (Punjab Food Authority, Sindh Food Authority, KP Food Safety & Halal Food Authority, or Balochistan Food Authority) and a municipal trade license from your city authority (e.g., CDA/ICT, KMC, Metropolitan/Tehsil Administration). Register the business first: pick a structure (sole proprietor/partnership/company), obtain NTN with FBR, and register for provincial Sales Tax on Services with PRA/SRB/KPRA/BRA under restaurant/food services; enable the applicable POS/e-invoicing program (e.g., RIMS) if required. For the Food Business License, file: CNIC, NTN, tenancy/ownership deed, floor/layout plan and equipment list, food-safety SOPs, potable water lab report, pest-control contract, staff medical fitness and food-handler training certificates, photos of handwashing/segregation/temperature control, and a waste management plan; pass an on-site inspection covering ventilation and hood/ducting, stainless prep surfaces, calibrated thermometers, cold chain (≤5°C) and hot hold (≥63°C), covered bins, and first-aid. Typical processing runs 7–21 days; small outlets usually pay a modest category fee. Obtain fire-safety NOC (extinguishers, emergency lighting, marked exits), Shops & Establishments registration with the provincial Labour Department, signboard permit, and commercial utility tariffs (power/gas), plus a grease trap and waste disposal contract. Maintain compliance via monthly sales tax returns, device-integrated e-invoicing where applicable, annual food-license renewal, temperature and cleaning logs, pest records, staff medicals, and periodic water tests.
