Candidates shortlisted for SECP top posts include terminated former officials

One of the officers was removed on top court's orders, while the other was terminated over misconduct

ISLAMABAD: The shortlisted candidates for two vacant posts of commissioners at the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan include two former officers of SECP, it was revealed on Thursday.

These persons are SECP’s former chairman Muhammad Ali Ghulam Ali, who was removed on the orders of the Supreme Court, and another official terminated over misconduct.

The interviews for the vacant posts are expected to take place next week under a committee led by Federal Finance Minister Asad Umer.

According to sources within the ministry, the government wanted to fill the required number of commissioners and appoint a regular chairman at the SECP.

For this purpose, the finance division had invited applications for the posts of commissioners. Over 200 candidates submitted their applications for the vacant posts.

Sources say that a committee led by finance minister Asad Umer scrutinised the applications and shortlisted 30 candidates that matched the experience and academic qualification. These included the aforementioned officials.

Other shortlisted candidates include three former executive directors of SECP, including Zafar Abdullah, Akif Saeed, and Asif Arif.

Sources said Ghulam Ali was appointed during the tenure of the PPP government. After the proceedings, the top court had ordered his removal and advised the authorities to conduct an investigation into SECP operations under his tenure.

Subsequently, the policy board of SECP formed a committee for the investigation and submitted a report, which awaits review by the court until now.

After the deployment of the commissioners, the committee would appoint the new chairman, sources said, adding that the shortlisted candidates are considered to have strong chances for the appointment of the chairman.

Corrigendum

It transpired during a review of the story that I might have erred while gathering information for the report. I regret any mistake in my story and apologise for any inconvenience caused to anyone named in the story.  – Reporter