The Multan Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI) has urged upon the government to take strict action against anti-social elements involved in circulating counterfeit currency to weaken our economy. MCCI President Mian Iqbal Hassan said, here on Sunday that proliferation of counterfeit notes has become a biggest threat to the economy. Therefore, the government should tackle this issue with iron hands. He urged the government and State Bank of Pakistan to launch mass drive to combat this menace.
Mian Iqbal Hassan also called for a well-designed campaign to educate people about the security features of currency notes. He said that it is the government that has the resources to curb this menace that is spreading its tentacles like anything and causing undue harm to the already dwindling economy.
MCCI President Mian Iqbal said the State Bank of Pakistan should provide necessary equipment/machines for detection of fake currency at least at their main branches for their own use as well as for the use of general public free of cost. He said that the SBP should also create awareness about the legal provisions regarding penalty and punishment for counterfeiting to forewarn the counterfeiters as to the consequences of committing this crime.
He said that the general public should be encouraged to hand over counterfeit notes that come to their possession to the nearest bank branch/SBP Banking Services Corporation office and to report the incident of counterfeiting to the law-enforcement agencies.
The MCCI President said that owning counterfeit currency is a crime and the individuals involved are attempting to defraud their fellow citizens and the country as a whole.