The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) has stepped up its investigation into alleged insider trading and unusual trading activity in the shares of Unity Foods Limited, issuing final notices to four individuals, including the company’s Chief Executive Officer Muhammad Farukh.

The SECP has summoned Muhammad Farukh, Safdar Sajjad, Fahmida Amin and Hina Safdar to appear before its investigation team on September 3.

The four individuals have been asked to appear in their personal capacity and provide relevant trading records and supporting documents.

The investigation concerns unusual trading activity in Unity Foods shares, with the regulator seeking explanations and records from the individuals regarding their transactions. Muhammad Farukh has specifically been asked to provide complete records relating to Unity Foods shares pledged with banks.

Safdar Sajjad, Fahmida Amin and Hina Safdar have been asked to explain their purchases and sales of Unity Foods shares and provide the relevant records requested by the investigation team.

The SECP issued the final notices after the four individuals failed to appear before the investigation team in response to an earlier summons for August 31.

The formal investigation into Unity Foods share trading has been underway since June 2 under Section 139 of the Securities Act, 2015.