SBP directs banks, DFIs to accept PoR Afghan refugees' cards to open accounts

KARACHI, Feb 28: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed all commercial banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) to open accounts of Afghan Refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) Card issued to them by National Data and Registration Authority as their identity document.

In this regard, banks/DFIs would have to verify the identity of the Afghan Refugees holding PoR Card through NADRA biometric verification system before opening of an account, said a SBP circular issued here on Thursday.

Moreover, for services offered by banks to their account holders, where CNIC and biometric verification is required under AML/CFT Regulations, valid biometrically verified PoR Card would be acceptable as identity document.

State Bank has, however, advised banks/DFIs to ensure compliance of all relevant legal and regulatory requirements including AML / CFT preventive measures instructed by SBP for account opening from time to time.

All other instructions on the subject shall remain unchanged, the circular said.

The banks/DFIs would have to follow the Anti-Money Laundering and Combating the Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Regulations issued vide BPRD Circular No. 2 dated September 13, 2012 as amended from time to time.

NADRA has informed the Central Bank that biometric verification for opening bank accounts of Afghan Refugees holding Proof of Registration (PoR) Card has been made live w.e.f February 26, 2019 over the existing established linkage of CNIC verification. The biometric verification service for Afghan refugees holding PoR Card would work similar to the CNIC biometric verification system.

(APP)