FIA plan to scan Bank Lockers nationwide against Dollars hoarding?
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In the past week, a flurry of rumors has swirled through various mainstream and social media platforms, suggesting that the interim government harbored intentions 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 a substantial operation against the illicit hoarding of dollars, even hinting at the use of specialized scanners capable of detecting foreign currency concealed within these lockers. This news spread like wildfire, igniting public outrage and concern.
Contrary to these sensational claims, both the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) have firmly rejected such allegations. They have reiterated that the government's primary objective is to combat the illegal outflow of dollars rather than targeting private bank lockers.
The spokesperson for the SBP unequivocally stated, "The SBP has neither initiated nor possesses the means to scan lockers from the outside." He emphatically labeled the reports of locker scrutiny for hidden dollars as "completely false."
In a similar vein, Sarfraz Virk, the Director of FIA Punjab, conveyed that the agency had initiated action against those involved in smuggling foreign currency to Afghanistan. Surveillance measures at all airports had been significantly bolstered to thwart currency carriers from exceeding prescribed limits when transporting funds abroad.
These statements serve as a stark counterpoint to the initial rumors, dispelling the notion of a widespread crackdown on bank lockers in the pursuit of foreign exchange.
In summary, the recent whirlwind of speculation surrounding a government crackdown on bank lockers for foreign exchange collection has been quashed by official statements from the SBP and FIA.
The focus of these agencies remains on curtailing the illegal outflow of dollars and combatting currency smuggling rather than intrusively scrutinizing private lockers. This episode highlights the importance of accurate information dissemination and the need to rely on official sources to avoid unnecessary panic and confusion among the public
