ISLAMABAD – To ease the difficulties faced by overseas Pakistanis, theState Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued detailed instructions to facilitatethem in operating their bank accounts.
“As per alternative arrangement, overseas Pakistanis may now approach theirrespective banks through email/surface mail and provide identity documentslike valid passport, visa, CNIC and National Identity Card for OverseasPakistanis [NICOP] as an alternative arrangement for biometric verificationfor operating their bank accounts as usual,” stated the SBP.
Highlighting the Circular Letter No. 16 of 2019, the central bank statedthat customers who fall under the definition of NRP [Non ResidentPakistani], the bank/ DFI may obtain a signed undertaking from the customercontaining the customer’s NRP status along with proof, copy of valid IDdocument (CNIC/ NICOP) and the account number(s) of the customer’saccount(s) maintained with the bank as per customer record
The customer would also give the undertaking to inform the bank of anychange in residency status. For such customers, as an alternative tobiometric verification, the bank/DFI may conduct fresh NADRA Verisys usingthe information provided by the customer.
Meanwhile, for Pakistani residents temporarily outside the country, thebank/DFI may obtain reasonable evidence/ proof from the customer regardinghis/her absence from the country (i.e. copy of valid passport, visa, exitstamp, resident permit, etc.) and the expected date of return.
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For such customers, as an alternate to biometric verification, the bank/DFI may conduct fresh NADRA Verisys using the information provided by thecustomer.
“The arrangement has been made in line with State Bank’s continuousmonitoring of the progress of the banking industry with respect tobiometric verification; and it has been reiterated to banks for extendingtheir fullest cooperation to their overseas customers,” stated SBP.
