The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) issued a master circular on Monday for Mutual Funds, Collective Investment Schemes, and investment Advisory Services.

The SECP has issued a master circular containing consolidated circulars to facilitate and create an enabling environment for Asset Management Companies (AMCs)/Investment Advisors (IAs) and ensure compliance with statutory/regulatory requirements pertaining to Collective Investment Schemes/Investment Advisory Services.

This Master Circular is a compilation/collection of all the existing/applicable Circulars and Directions issued by the Commission about Specialized Companies Division of Securities and Exchange

Commission of Pakistan from time to time for regulation of Collective Investment Schemes/Mutual Funds/Investment Advisory Services. This document includes all circulars issued from January 06,

2009 up to September 30, 2024 which are already in force unless otherwise revised or repealed by the Commission.

In case of any inconsistency between the Master circular and the applicable circular, the contents of the relevant circular shall prevail.

The SECP master circular covers digitization, advertisements, categorization of Collective Investment Schemes and Investment Avenues, disclosure requirements, Constant Proportion Portfolio Insurance (CPPI) Based Schemes, Exchange Traded Funds (ETFs), Performance Benchmarks for Collective Investment Schemes, Selling and Marketing of Collective Investment Schemes, Sales Load and Expenses, Valuation and Provisioning, mandatory certifications for professionals of NBFCs and distribution of Units of CIS, outsourcing arrangements, Risk Management and Compliance, Merger of Open-End Schemes, procedure for Unit Holders Meeting, Closed End Schemes, Separately Managed Accounts, miscellaneous and Anti-Money Laundering.