SECP, DLE sign MoU to strengthen legal training

The Directorate of Legal Education (DLE) and the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to enhance legal education and training in corporate, banking, insurance, and company law.

The signing ceremony took place at the Supreme Court building, with Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar present as the chief guest. The agreement was signed by Director DLE Barrister Usama Malik and SECP Commissioner Mujtaba Lodhi, according to a press release issued by the SECP.

The MoU aims to facilitate collaborative training initiatives targeting lawyers, law students, prosecutors, and SECP’s in-house legal staff, the statement read.

The event was attended by several senior officials. Representing SECP were Chairman Akif Saeed and Commissioners Mujtaba Lodhi, Zeeshan Khattak, and Muzaffar Mirza.

On the legal side, notable members of the Pakistan Bar Council, including Ahsan Bhoon, Amjad Shah, and Chairman of the Legal Education Committee Qalb-e-Hassan Shah, were present. Supreme Court Bar Association President Rauf Atta also attended the ceremony.

The law minister welcomed the collaboration, emphasising the need for continuous legal education to better prepare legal professionals for evolving challenges. “This partnership is a step toward bridging the gap between legal education and practical application,” he said.

SECP Chairman Akif Saeed praised the initiative and reaffirmed the Commission’s support, stating that the training programs will help legal professionals remain current with developments in financial and business law.

Barrister Usama Malik described the agreement as the start of a long-term partnership aimed at enhancing the quality of legal education and professional development. He added that the collaboration would benefit not only legal practitioners and students but also legal officers within regulatory bodies like the SECP.