Afghans allowed to open bank accounts

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday asked banks to accept the valid proof of registration card issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) as identity document for opening accounts of Afghan refugees.

Banks and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) will verify the identity of the Afghan refugees holding proof of registration (PoR) card through Nadra biometric verification system for opening of account, the SBP said in a circular.

“Moreover, for services offered by banks to their account holders, where CNIC and biometric verification is required under AML/CFT (anti-money laundering and combating the financing of terrorism) Regulations, valid biometrically verified PoR Card is acceptable as identity document,” it said.

“However, banks/DFIs are advised 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.”

The biometric verification for opening bank accounts of Afghan refugees holding (PoR) card has been made live with effective from 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.