ISLAMABAD, Nov 28: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Friday announced deadlines for submission of annual returns for companies.

The last date for filing of annual returns Form A/B with the registrar, for companies other than listed companies that have closed their annual accounts on June 30, 2008, is November 30.

The final date of submission for listed companies is December 15.

An official announcement stated that unlisted public companies, associations not for profit, and private companies (having paid up capital of Rs7.5 million or more) are also required to file their annual accounts on or before November 30.

In order to facilitate filing of annual statutory returns and accounts, the Company Registration Offices (CROs) of SECP, will remain open on Saturday (Nov 29). Further, since the last date of November 30 is falling on Sunday, the CROs shall accept the returns on the next working day i.e., Monday, December 1.

The CROs shall remain open till extended hours i.e., 6:00pm on November 29 and December 15 to facilitate the heavy influx of filing of annual returns.

The Commission has also provided the facility for collection of returns and accounts, at the chambers of commerce and industry, in Rawalpindi, Sialkot, Gujranwala, Gujrat and Hyderabad.

The Commission has recently launched its eServices that has facilitated online submission of annual returns and accounts. Companies can now file the returns and accounts through online system.

These initiatives have been undertaken by the SECP to extend facilitation to companies in timely filing of returns and to accelerate the rate of corporate compliance in the country. Forms (i.e., Forms A/B) can be downloaded from the SECP website.