In the past week, a flurry of rumors has swirled through various mainstreamand social media platforms, suggesting that the interim government harboredintentions of launching a sweeping crackdown on bank lockers nationwide,all in a concerted effort to amass much-needed foreign exchange.
Reports began circulating, asserting that authorities were preparing for asubstantial operation against the illicit hoarding of dollars, even hintingat the use of specialized scanners capable of detecting foreign currencyconcealed within these lockers. This news spread like wildfire, ignitingpublic outrage and concern.
Contrary to these sensational claims, both the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have firmly rejected suchallegations. They have reiterated that the government’s primary objectiveis to combat the illegal outflow of dollars rather than targeting privatebank lockers.
The spokesperson for the SBP unequivocally stated, “The SBP has neitherinitiated nor possesses the means to scan lockers from the outside.” Heemphatically labeled the reports of locker scrutiny for hidden dollars as”completely false.”
In a similar vein, Sarfraz Virk, the Director of FIA Punjab, conveyed thatthe agency had initiated action against those involved in smuggling foreigncurrency to Afghanistan. Surveillance measures at all airports had beensignificantly bolstered to thwart currency carriers from exceedingprescribed limits when transporting funds abroad.
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These statements serve as a stark counterpoint to the initial rumors,dispelling the notion of a widespread crackdown on bank lockers in thepursuit of foreign exchange.
In summary, the recent whirlwind of speculation surrounding a governmentcrackdown on bank lockers for foreign exchange collection has been quashedby official statements from the SBP and FIA.
The focus of these agencies remains on curtailing the illegal outflow ofdollars and combatting currency smuggling rather than intrusivelyscrutinizing private lockers. This episode highlights the importance ofaccurate information dissemination and the need to rely on official sourcesto avoid unnecessary panic and confusion among the public
