Business

SBP launches whistle-blowing forum to bust illegal money dealers

Published

1 year ago

Farwa

Illegal money-dealers be reported at whistleblowing.FX@sbp.org.pk.
Complaints be sent to SBP at facilitation.fx@sbp.org.pk.
Public at large asked to refrain from making false allegations.

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a whistle-blowing forum for the identification of foreign exchange companies operating illegally in the country to ensure accountability and integrity, it said in a statement.

“The public, at large, may use the dedicated email address: WhistleBlowing.FX@sbp.org.pk- to report to SBP any unauthorised foreign exchange activity, said a statement issued here,” the central bank announced.

“The email may also be used to report if any exchange company refrained from providing system-generated receipt of the currency exchange transaction.”

The central bank urged the public to be judicious in reporting any unauthorised foreign exchange activity and provide facts and as much specific information and particulars as possible to examine the matter thoroughly.

“They are also expected to refrain from rumour mongering, speculation, false and frivolous allegations or accusations,” the SBP said adding that the identity of the complainant would be kept confidential however the disclosure of identity for utilising the forum was voluntary.

The SBP has also introduced another email address, facilitation.fx@sbp.org.pk, to receive public concerns if any person faced any issue in dealing with exchange companies including the sale/purchase of foreign currency notes by the money-changers, issuing receipts which are not system-generated, charging exorbitantly high exchange rate over those displayed on the notice board, denial of genuine requests of the customer for the provision of foreign currencies, etc.

The SBP regulates foreign exchange business in the country under Foreign Exchange Regulation Act, 1947 and under the Act central bank has authorised twenty-six exchange companies of the “A” category and twenty exchange companies of the “B” category to deal in foreign exchange business including sale purchase of foreign currency notes.

Meanwhile, Minister of State for Finance Dr Ayesha Ghous Pasha on Friday warned the commercial bank of exemplary punishment for overcharging on Letters of Credit (LCs) payments.

Briefing the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue the minister of state said that the banks involved in such activities would be fined heavily.

The meeting of the committee was held under the chairmanship of Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.

Speaking on the occasion, Governor State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Jameel Ahmed said that when the commercial banks faced a shortage of dollars they started charging extra dollars on payments of LCs.

He said that the central bank had thoroughly investigated the matter.

Business

Donald Lu visits Finance Minister Aurangzeb at the World Bank headquarters.

Published

4 hours ago

Farwa

Wednesday saw Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb meet US Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs Donald Lu and Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary Elizabeth Horst.

The finance minister briefed US officials on Pakistan’s reform plan at the World Bank. Meeting both delegations decided to improve bilateral ties.

Meeting topics included alternative energy, agriculture, climate, and tech industry. Boosting the Pakistan-US economic partnership was another finance ministry priority.

With US officials, Pakistan’s Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb addressed IT, agriculture, and other business potential.

Pakistan would collaborate with the US International Development Finance Corporation and Exim Bank, according to Muhammad Aurangzeb.

His name is Donald Lu.
Over 30 years of US government service for Lu as a foreign service officer.

What Pakistan calls the “cipher” dispute involves the American official. The Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) founder claimed that a supposed official letter between Washington and Islamabad proved his ousting as PM was a US conspiracy.

Washington has strongly refuted Khan’s allegations.

The State Department’s top South and Central Asia diplomat is Donald Lu, assistant secretary of state.

Business

Huge investment potential exists in the telecom and IT sectors. Shaza Fatima

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

According to Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication, there are numerous investment prospects in Pakistan’s IT and telecom sectors.

She noted that the current administration is dedicated to fostering foreign investment in the nation, in line with the Prime Minister’s goal.

According to a news release, CEOs Wateen Adil Rashid and Muhammad Shahbaz Khan of Taavun (Pvt) Limited, who paid her a visit on Tuesday, spoke with Minister of State for IT and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja.

She declared that the private sector would receive complete support because it is essential to growing our exports.

Regarding youngsters, she stated that they are our greatest asset and that efforts are being made to further their growth.

Sheikh Nahyan bin Mubarak Al Nahyan of the United Arab Emirates was thanked by Shaza Fatima for his particular interest in promoting additional investment in Pakistan’s telecom industry.

Business

WB pledges complete support for changes aimed at stabilizing Pakistan’s economy.

Published

1 day ago

Farwa

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with President of the World Bank Group, Ajay Banga, according to a press release from the ministry of finance here. During the meeting, the minister discussed Pakistan’s progress under the nine-month Standby Arrangement (SBA) program as well as ongoing reforms in priority areas of taxation, energy, and privatization.

According to the statement, the minister also extended an invitation to the president to visit Pakistan, and both parties acknowledged the necessity of a rolling 10-year country framework plan.

The minister also talked on safeguarding Pakistan’s eligibility for concessional funding and future project pipeline during a meeting with Masatsugu Asakawa, President of the Asian Development Bank (ADB).

The chief executive officer of the US International Development Finance Corporation (DFC), Scott Nathan, also met with the minister of finance.

They discussed during the conference how DFC may increase its investments in Pakistan after resolving unresolved conflicts in a cooperative manner.

According to the minister, the government is supporting creative financing strategies to maximize PPP potential and private sector participation.

According to the statement, he gave his word that the government will do everything in its power to assist investment projects by both foreign and local businesses in Pakistan.