May 20, 2003	Tuesday	Rabi-ul-Awwal 17, 1424

ISLAMABAD, May 19: No final decision has been taken as yet regarding the qualifications of company secretary and amendments in the Companies (General Provisions and Forms) Rules, 1985, were notified only to elicit public opinion in this regard, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) stated here on Monday.

Commenting on a series of letters published in a section of the national press from different quarters following publication on March 17 of the said notification, a press release by the SECP said it was only a proposal and “the matter is yet to be finalised.” The rules were yet to be amended/finalized in light of the feedback received from the public and other relevant circles.

The concern expressed in these letters was based upon exclusion of chartered secretaries from appointment as company secretary. The SECP, it added, was cognizant of the comments and opinions expressed through the press as well as those communicated to the Commission by various professional organisations and bodies.