Please refer to BPD Circular Letter No. 18 dated June 2, 2005 and BPD Circular Letter No. 46 dated November 26, 2005 on the above subject.

2. In this connection, we have received representation from the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA) indicating difficulties in meeting the extended deadline of June 30, 2006 for complying with the instructions issued vide aforesaid circular by their member banks, with a request for further extension. The matter has been considered at State Bank of Pakistan and it has been decided to extend the date for meeting the subject requirements as under:-

i) For customers / clients whose accounts are dormant and an attested copy of account holder’s Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC) is not available in bank/DFI’s record, banks/DFIs shall not allow operation in such accounts until the account holder produces an attested copy of his/her CNIC and fulfill all other formalities for activation of the account.

ii) For all other bank clients/customers including depositors & borrowers, banks/DFIs shall obtain the attested copies of CNICs by June 30, 2007. Banks/DFIs shall discontinue relationship with such customers who fail to submit a copy of their CNIC by the above deadline.

3. Banks/DFIs are encouraged to carry on public campaign through print/ electronic media individually as well as through Pakistan Banks’ Association for creating public awareness on requirement of CNIC for banking purposes. They are also advised to confirm compliance with the subject instructions by the above extended timelines.

4. All other instructions on the subject shall, however, remain unchanged.

Please acknowledge receipt.