SOHAIL SARFRAZ

ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Communion of Pakistan (SECP) has introduced a new provision in the Companies Ordinance 2016 in line with the National Action Plan for issuance of licences to charitable and not-for-profit associations, which are not involved in activities against the laws, public order, security, sovereignty and national interests of Pakistan.

Sources told Business Recorder here on Thursday that the SECP has also prescribed grounds for the revocation of licences of charitable and not-for-profit associations. Under the new provision, licence should be for a specified period. A separate format for the association to be licensed under this section has been prescribed.

Moreover, a separate format for the association to be licensed under this section has been prescribed. Similarly, a new provision has been added containing the effects of revocation of licence and the consequential matters.

According to the section 42 (Licensing of associations with charitable and not-for-profit objects) (1) Where it is proved to the satisfaction of the Commission that an association is to be formed as a limited company,—

(a) for promoting commerce, art, science, religion, health, education, research, sports, protection of environment, social welfare, charity or any other useful object;

(b) such company,— (i) intends to apply the company’s profits and other income in promoting its objects; and (ii) prohibits the payment of dividends to the company’s members; and (c) such company’s objects and activities are not and shall not, at any time, be against the laws, public order, security, sovereignty and national interests of Pakistan;

The Commission may, by licence for a period to be specified, permit the association to be registered as a public limited company, without the addition of the word “Limited” or the expression “(Guarantee) Limited”, to its name.

(2) A licence under sub-section (1) may be granted on such conditions and subject to such regulations as the Commission thinks fit and those conditions shall be inserted in and deemed part of the memorandum and articles, or in one of those documents.

(3) Memorandum and articles of association of a company licensed under this section shall be in accordance with the form set out in Table F in the First Schedule or as near thereto as circumstances admit and approved by the Commission.

(4) The association on registration under this section shall enjoy all the privileges and be subject to all the obligations of a limited company.

(5) The Commission may at any time by order in writing, revoke a licence granted under sub-section (1), with such directions as it may deem fit, on being satisfied that,— (a) the company or its management has failed to comply with any of the terms or conditions subject to which a licence is granted; or (b) any of the requirements specified in sub-section (1) or any regulations made under this section are not met or complied with; or (c) affairs of the company are conducted in a manner prejudicial to public interest or public morality; or d) the company is engaged in any activity notified by the Commission to be against public policy or a moral hazard; or (e) the company has made a default in filing with the registrar its financial statements or annual returns for immediately preceding two consecutive financial years; or (f) the company has acted against the interest, sovereignty and integrity of Pakistan, the security of the State and friendly relations with foreign States; or

(g) the number of members is reduced, below three; or

(h) the company is,—

(i) conceived or brought forth for, or is or has been carrying on, unlawful or fraudulent activities; or

(ii) run and managed by persons who fail to maintain proper and true accounts, or they commit fraud, misfeasance or malfeasance in relation to the company; or

(iii) run and managed by persons who are involved in terrorist financing or money laundering; or

(iv) managed by persons who refuse to act according to the requirements of the memorandum or articles or the provisions of this ordinance or failed to carry out the directions or decisions of the Commission or the registrar given in the exercise of the powers conferred by this Ordinance; or

(v) not carrying on its business or is not in operation for one year; or

(i) it is just and equitable that the licence should be revoked:

Provided that, before a licence is so revoked, the Commission shall give to the company, a notice in writing of its intention to do so, and shall afford the company an opportunity to be heard.

(6) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Ordinance or any other law, no association shall be registered as a company with the objects as mentioned in clause (a) and the conditions provided in clause (b) of sub-section (1) without a licence granted in pursuance of this section.