SBP issues notifi­cation allowi­ng regist­ered Afghan refuge­es to open bank accoun­tsKARACHI: In a surprise move, Pakistan has allowed registered Afghan refugees to open and maintain bank accounts in a bid to make them part of the formal economy as they have remained associated with different businesses and professions for decades. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) notified on Thursday that the Afghan refugees, registered with the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), can open bank accounts through biometric verification. The biometric verification service for Afghan refugees holding PoR card will work similar to the CNIC biometric verification system,” the SBP said in the notification. “Accordingly, for opening accounts of Afghan refugees holding PoR card, banks/DFIs may accept the valid Proof of Registration (PoR) card issued by NADRA as identity document. In this regard, banks/DFIs shall verify the identity of the Afghan refugees holding PoR card through the NADRA biometric verification system for opening of an account,” it said.

Source: The Express Tribune March 01, 2019 03:22 UTC