Corporate irregularities: SECP starts 34 show-cause proceedings

SECP passed proceedings against directors and auditors of listed and unlisted companies during the month of August.

ISLAMABAD: As part of its enforcement and regulatory function, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) passed 12 orders and initiated 34 show-cause proceedings against directors and auditors of listed and unlisted companies during the month of August. According to a statement issued on Monday, the SECP actions mainly pertained to violations of takeover ordinance, unauthorised inter-corporate financing, irregularities in provident fund, late or non-submission of quarterly accounts, non-preparation of consolidated financial statements, misstatements in financial statements, non-appointment of independent share registrar and unauthorised utilisation of security deposits. In addition, the statement said, 25 investor complaints were addressed during the month. These complaints were about non-receipt of dividend warrants, disposal of fractional shares, delay or non-transfer of shares, issue of duplicate shares, etc.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th,  2011.