FIA opens case against Unity Foods over alleged funds misuse

The Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has opened a criminal investigation against the previous management of Unity Foods Limited, a Pakistani company listed on the stock exchange, due to alleged financial irregularities. The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) had previously investigated the company and referred the matter to the FIA under Section 41-B of the Pakistan Penal Code.

According to the FIR, discrepancies of around Rs44.7 billion were found between the company's published financial accounts and its internal records. The SECP's investigation revealed that Unity Foods had raised Rs3.75 billion from shareholders through a right issue but allegedly misused about Rs2.87 billion for purposes not disclosed in the issue documents.

Additionally, Rs5.318 billion was paid from company funds to the mother of the former CEO as a loan, and a Unity Foods subsidiary is alleged to have advanced Rs2.6 billion to two unidentified parties. The SECP's investigation also found a discrepancy of around Rs44.7 billion between the company's published financial accounts and its internal SAP records, as well as a difference of about Rs5.2 billion between inventory recorded in the company's books and its physical stock.

The FIA's Corporate Crime Circle in Karachi registered the case on August 29 against Unity Foods' former management and other accused individuals under relevant provisions of the Pakistan Penal Code. SECP Chairman Kabir Ahmed Sidhu emphasized the protection of investor funds and transparent financial reporting, stating that funds raised from investors should only be used for the purposes disclosed to them.

Unity Foods, initially operating in the textile sector, later shifted its focus to edible oil extraction, refining, and related businesses.