ISLAMABAD: The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is planning to make it obligatory for all public listed, public unlisted, public interest, and private limited companies to have their shares in book-entry form in compliance with Section 72 of the Companies Act, 2017.
The SECP officials told Business Recorder, on Saturday, that the section 72 of the Companies Act, 2017 (the “Act”) requires every company having share capital to have its shares in book-entry form only, from the date notified by the Commission. Further, every existing company is required to replace its physical shares with book-entry form.
A period of four years is specified in the Act for implementation of this provision and the deadline will end on May 30, 2021.
Section 72 is reproduced below for ready reference: “72. Issuance of shares in book-entry form.—(1) After the commencement of this Act from a date notified by the Commission, a company having share capital, shall have shares in book-entry form only.
(2) Every existing company shall be required to replace its physical
shares with book-entry form in a manner as may be specified and from the date notified by the Commission, within a period not exceeding four years from the commencement of this Act: Provided that the Commission may notify different dates for different classes of companies: Provided further that the Commission may, if it deems appropriate, extend the period for another two years besides the period stated herein.
(3) Nothing contained in this section shall apply to the shares of such companies or class of companies as may be notified by the Commission.”
Furthermore, Regulation 17 of the Companies (General Provisions and Forms) Regulations, 2018 states as under:-
“17. Issuance of shares in book-entry form.—Subsequent to the notification under section 72 of the Act, all companies required to replace its physical shares with book-entry form shall apply to a Central Depository in terms of the relevant Regulations for declaration of company’s shares as eligible securities and comply with the requirements of the Central Depository for issuance of shares in book entry form.”
Officials explained that in view of the mentioned requirements of the Act and as a step further towards digitization, the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is considering to make it obligatory for all public listed, public unlisted, public interest, and private limited companies to have their shares in book-entry form in compliance with Section 72 of the Companies Act, 2017. Shares held in book-entry form shall have the same rights and privileges as shares held in physical certificate form.
However, rights and privileges of shares held in physical form may be restricted at a future date due to non-compliance with the provision of section 72 of the Companies Act, 2017.
Once notified, all companies required to replace their physical shares with book-entry form shall apply to a central depository licensed by the SECP for conversion of existing physical shares and further issuance of shares in the book entry form.
The central depository shall prescribe procedures for such conversion and issuance of shares including documentation required, process to be followed and applicable fee and charges, officials stated.
The SECP is of the view that conversion of shares into book-entry form will make the process of share handling more efficient, risk free and would help to minimise shareholding disputes.
Handling of shares in case of corporate actions i.e. issue of bonus/right shares and transfer or selling of shares would be much easier, if shares are converted into book-entry form.
Book entry securities can be pledged to a bank to obtain financing against them.
Furthermore, it would help to reduce the risks and costs associated with storing of physical share certificates, which are susceptible to be lost, stolen and/or damaged and conversion of shares would help to avoid such problems.
All stakeholders are invited to provide their feedback on the issues relating to conversion of physical shares into Book Entry Form on this discussion forum before May 20, 2021, the SECP officials added.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2021
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