IHC extends stay in petition challenging committee to probe SECP data leak.

ISLAMABAD -- The Islamabad High Court (IHC) Monday extended its stay orders in a petition challenging the constitution of an inquiry committee to probe the data leak of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) against its additional director.

A single bench of IHC comprising Chief Justice of IHC Justice Athar Minallah conducted hearing of the petition filed by Muhammad Arslan Zafar, Additional Director SECP. During the hearing, the legal representative of SECP requested the court to grant some time for submission of its reply. He informed the court that the reply of SECP is ready and would be submitted soon. Accepting his request, the IHC bench extended its stay orders till October 27 and deferred the proceedings.

In his petition filed through Taimoor Aslam Khan Advocate, Zafar made Chairman SECP, Secretary SECP and Chairman of Inquiry Committee Ms Sadia Khan as respondents.

He stated that petitioner is presently serving as Additional Director, Market Supervision and Risk Department in the SECP and he is a qualified Chartered Accountant, having obtained his educational degree from the prestigious Institute of Chartered Accounts in England and Wales.

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The petitioner mentioned that while serving his duties on September 9, Head of Department, Human Resource informed him that an inquiry has been initiated against him and he was required to proceed on leave with immediate effect. He added that his laptop was taken into possession by HoD which contained confidential and sensitive information, with respect to ongoing and completed investigations, without complying with any legal formalities such as preparing of a seizure memo etc.

Zafar further said that on 11-09-2020, the petitioner received a letter dated 10-09-2020 containing...