Overseas Pakistanis started migrating to various countries in 1960s’ and 70’s for better economic opportunities and some of them have excelled in their fields and have attained prominence as professionals in different walks of life.
These Overseas Pakistanis have always shown keen interest to contribute for the betterment of the country. Prime Minister Imran Khan in his first address to the nation invited notable Overseas Pakistani professionals to contribute in the making of NAYA PAKISTAN. With a massive diaspora of highly qualified/par excellence Pakistani executives working abroad, Pakistan is entering a sustained and rewarding phase to utilize their expertise in strategic decision making.
To facilitate overseas Pakistanis for an ownership structure in national development and decision-making process, `Naya Pakistan Calling’ web portal has been developed at OPF. It is a repository of curriculum vitae of prominent professionals from Pakistani diaspora, accessible by all relevant stake holders. Par excellence overseas Pakistanis can register themselves from where they can be selected by various Public Sector Institutions/Advisory Bodies, etc. at Federal and Provincial level as independent directors on their Advisory Boards.
SECP Notification News
Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) vide S.R.O.1570(I)/2018 dated December 26, 2018, has authorized OPF to create and maintain the data bank of independent directors and post such data on its website for the use by a company making the appointment of such directors.
Important Information for Appointing Authorities
Appointing authorities, while using the databank in this portal, are requested to comply with all the applicable statutory / other requirements for appointment of independent directors in their companies / organizations.
Eligibility Criteria
Eligibility Criteria for Persons:-
- Any person desirous of including his/her name on the databank referred to in regulation 3, shall fulfill the following educational and other requirements, namely:-
(a) a person who:
i) either holds at least a graduate degree from a university recognized and approved by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan or is a member of a professional body; and
Explanation: the expression, “professional body” means:
- a) established in Pakistan, governed under a special enactment of the Federal Government as a self-regulatory organization managed by a representative National Council, and has a prescribed minimum criterion of examination and entitlement of membership of such body; or
- b) established outside Pakistan and established under a special enactment in the country of its origin and which is a member of the International body relevant for such field.
ii) has at least five years of relevant experience in one or more of the fields of finance, law, management, sales, marketing, administration, research, corporate governance, technical operations or other disciplines relevant to the company’s business; or
b) has at least fifteen years of relevant work Experience is one or more of the fields of finance, law, management, sales, marketing, administration, research, corporate governance, technical operations or other disciplines relevant to the company’s business;
c) the person is willing to act as an independent director and can confirm that on appointment, would devote reasonable time to the affairs of the company in order to enable him/her to discharge his/her stewardship responsibilities as given under the applicable law, corporate governance directives and where applicable, licensing
- Every independent director, after being appointed/elected on board, shall complete Director’s Training Program (DTP) or avail exemption from the commission as per the requirements of Regulation 20 of the Listed Companies (Code of Corporate Governance) Regulations, 2017 within twelve months of such appointment/election.
- Every person whose name is included in the databank shall be responsible for the accuracy, adequacy and completeness of the information and particulars provided by him/her to the Institute and in case of any subsequent change therein.
