Finance Minister Ishaq Dar on Tuesday said the government has already cleared Rs 6 billion on account of payment of Telegraphic Transfer (TT) charges to banks and the outstanding dues of Rs 3.46 billion will be cleared by March 21 to further encourage banks in their efforts. While chairing a meeting of the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI), Dar said high levels in remittance flows can have direct bearing on foreign exchange rates, domestic interest rates and balance of payments while having other indirect impact for macroeconomic variables. In this manner, the government will be able to clear another circular debt inherited from the earlier government, he added.
Dar directed banks to identify the major migration networks and communicate with the leaders of these networks. He said the migrants will be encouraged to open bank accounts before leaving adding that Nadra would be requested to offer assistance in this regard.
This will assist not only in understanding their preference matrix but also help the authorities in Pakistan to cover their expectations about desired remittance priorities, he added. The Finance Minister said that it is the primary responsibility of the government to consolidate the fiscal and monetary situation.
He said making Pakistan economically vibrant is doable and we will work together to discourage speculators and hoarders in the interest of the country. Head of PRI, Moinuddin, gave a presentation to the Chairman regarding various proposals to increase the flow of foreign remittances by overseas Pakistanis to their homeland.
He suggested that home remittances should be included in the list of core businesses of banks, home remittance centres should be opened by various banks and placement of banks' representatives with overseas entities. He also suggested that banks should establish dedicated remittance complaint resolution mechanism for improving home remittances through banks.
Dar appreciated the efforts of the commercial banks for doubling their efforts for improvement of flow of foreign remittances in the country. The meeting was attended by representatives from National Bank of Pakistan, Bank of Punjab, Allied Bank of Pakistan, MCB Bank, United Bank Limited, JS Bank Limited, Dubai Islamic Bank, Summit Bank, Meezan Bank, Bank Al-Habib Limited, Soneri Bank Limited, Faysal Bank Limited, Askari Bank Limited, Burj Bank, NIB Bank, Bank Alfalah, Habib Bank and State Bank of Pakistan along with the senior officials of the Ministry of Finance.
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