Pakistan: Pakistan - Share Capital (Variation In Rights And Privileges) Rules

The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan(SECP) has finalised rules for companies to float different kinds of shares which may attract foreign investors who are more interested in dividend than voting rights.Under the new rules, the companies which in the past issued only one kind of shares, can offer a variety of shares to the public. SECP sources said the new rules entitled 'The Companies' Share Capital (Variation in Rights and Privileges) Rules 2000', announced on Monday provide for cumulative and non-cumulative preference shares, participatory and non- participatory preference shares and redeemable and irredeemable shares..According to sources, the new rules would also facilitate smooth privatisation of the units in the sense that in particular industries the government may be able to control management even though majority of shares have been disinvested. Conversely, sources added, the private sector would be able to control management even if it had not acquired majority of shares in a unit.

The following is the text of the SRO 599(I)/2000 issued here on Monday:

• In exercise of the powers conferred by section 506 of the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984), read with section 90 thereof, and clause (b) of section 43 of the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan Act, 1997 (XLII of 1997), the Securities and Exchange Policy Board hereby makes the following rules, the same having been published previously as required under the said section 506, namely:-
• The Companies' Share Capital (Variation in Rights and Privileges) Rules, 2000.

1. Short title and commencement:-

1. These rules may be called the Companies' Share Capital (Variation in Rights and Privileges) Rules, 2000.
2. They shall come into force at once.

2. Definitions:

1. In these rules, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context,-

(a) "Commission" means the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan; and

(b) "Ordinance" means the Companies Ordinance, 1984 (XLVII of 1984).

2. All other terms and expressions used but not defined in these rules shall have the same meaning as assigned to them in the Ordinance.

3. Kinds and classes of share capital:

1. A company limited by shares may have more than one kind of share capital and may have different classes of shares under each kind.
2. Where a company intends to have different kinds of share capital and classes of shares therein, it shall specifically so provide in its memorandum and articles.

4. Nature of rights and privileges: Each kind of share capital of a company and class or classes of its shares, if any, as specified in the memorandum and articles may have different rights and privileges, which shall be provided in the articles. The variation in the rights and privileges of the shareholders in a kind of share capital or class or classes therein may be of the nature, including the following, namely:-

(a) different voting rights; voting rights disproportionate to the paid up value of shares held; voting rights for specific purposes only; or no voting rights at all;

(b) different rights for entitlement of dividend, right shares or bonus shares or entitlement to receive the notices and to attend the general meetings; and

(c) rights and privileges for indefinite period, for a limited specified period or for such periods as may from time to time be determined by the members through special resolution.

5. Conditions: