Please refer to the instructions issued vide BPRD Circular Letter No. 25 dated August 26, 2009 regarding the captioned subject.

2. In terms of Honorable Supreme Court of Pakistan directives under Suo Motu Case No. 4 of 2006, all bank branches were interalia advised to invariably collect utility bills from general public, if approached, during the banking hours. It has, however, been noticed that some of the bank branches generally refuse to accept utility bills from public due to network / system problems. This tendency has been viewed seriously on the part of all such delinquent branches. Henceforth, banks are advised to desist from adoption of this practice and ensure uninterrupted collection of utility bills from general public as per spirit of SBP directives. In case of network / system problem, the concerned branch must make manual arrangements to collect utility bills from the public which shall be processed through the system later on.

3. Any deviation or non-compliance of above instructions shall attract punitive action under the provisions of Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962.

4. Please acknowledge receipt.