Karachi: Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited has been penalized by the Securities & Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) for failing to comply with legal requirements regarding the filing of annual returns for the years 2020 to 2022. This decision was reached following the company’s repeated non-responsiveness to official notices and reminders.

The case, identified as Case No. AOK-276/2024, was adjudicated under Section 130 read with Section 479 of the Companies Act, 2017. The proceedings were initiated through a show cause notice issued on January 9, 2024. The company was required to submit its annual returns within thirty days following its Annual General Meeting or, if no such meeting occurred, by the end of the calendar year relevant to the returns.

According to information available from the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited failed to adhere to these legal obligations, prompting a referral from the Company Registration Office (CRO) in Karachi. Despite receiving a series of notices and reminders, the company did not provide any representation or written response.

This lack of response led to an ex-parte decision by the adjudicating officer, who imposed a penalty of Rs. 75,000 on Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited. The company has been instructed to deposit the penalty within 30 days of the order, which was dated September 11, 2025, and to file the overdue returns within the same timeframe.

The SECP’s order reinforces the need for corporations to maintain compliance with statutory requirements. The designated market category for Dadabhoy Cement Industries Limited falls under the industrial sector. The SECP emphasized the importance of adherence to legal protocols and warned that further actions may be taken if compliance is not achieved.