Relief funds: SBP waives services charges on donations

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has waived service charges on donations to Prime Minister's and provincial governments' relief funds for Covid19 through payment cards.
Previously, In order to facilitate donations/payments made to Supreme Court of Pakistan's Diamer Bhasha and Mohmand Dam Fund Account through payment cards debit, credit or prepaid cards were waived through a circular issued on August 28, 2018.
Now, the SBP has decided that the scope of this circular/facility would also cover payments and donations made to the Prime Minister's as well as provincial governments' COVID-19 Pandemic Relief Funds.
Accordingly, as per the SBP directives, all issuing and acquiring banks in Pakistan will not charge any service fee including Interchange Reimbursement Fee (IRF), Merchant Discount Rate (MDR), Merchant ID Fee, on boarding fee or any other fee that may be applicable on any transactions made to the said account.
The SBP has advised issuing and acquiring banks/microfinance banks/payment schemes to meticulously comply with these instructions and not deduct any charges on donation or payment to Prime Minister's or Provincial Governments' Relief Fund for Covid19 through payment cards.