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Islamabad: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) came under pressure in the Senate after lawmakers raised concerns over complaints from customers, including Politically Exposed Persons (PEPs), who faced difficulties with commercial banks and alleged delays in resolving their issues. The Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue questioned why banks and the SBP failed to establish clear and uniform procedures despite earlier directions to create dedicated officers and better complaint handling systems. During the meeting, Member National Assembly Muhammad Moin Amir Pirzada informed the committee that his bank account was closed in April 2026 and despite repeated communication with the concerned bank and the State Bank of Pakistan, he did not receive a satisfactory response. He told the committee that such situations show the need for a proper yearly data update system and clear banking procedures so customers do not face unnecessary difficulties. The committee learned that no common Standard Operating Procedures had been developed across the banking sector despite previous recommendations. Governor State Bank acknowledged the concerns and informed the committee that rules for dealing with Politically Exposed Persons already exist. He said the problem occurred at the branch level and assured lawmakers that steps would be taken to improve implementation. The Governor informed the committee that a backup officer had already been assigned and a dedicated focal person would also be appointed to handle such matters. The committee stressed that all banks must follow the same procedures so customers receive equal treatment and complaints are resolved quickly. Federal Minister for Finance also supported the need for standard procedures and said proper systems are necessary for better customer service and effective complaint resolution. The committee meeting, chaired by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla, also discussed wider banking issues including customer charges, investment policies and employee matters. Members raised concerns about banking service charges, especially SMS alerts and card transactions. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that SMS alerts are optional, allowing customers to choose whether to use the service. He said banks are also introducing alternative options such as mobile application and email alerts for customers. The Governor clarified that Visa card transactions conducted within Pakistan would not be charged in US dollars. He also informed the committee that banks are currently covering around Rs80 billion annually under the Pakistan Remittance Initiative. Committee members appreciated the reforms under the initiative, stating these steps have helped save significant costs. The committee also discussed complaints regarding dress code instructions in some banks. Senator Dr. Zarqa Suharwardy Taimur raised concerns that some female employees were allegedly pressured to wear abayas. Senator Sherry Rehman stated that no employee should be forced to adopt a specific type of clothing. The State Bank Governor informed the committee that previous recommendations had already been communicated to banks. He clarified that the committee had only recommended a modest dress code and had not ordered banks to impose any particular clothing. The committee directed all banks to submit their human resource dress code policies and instructed SBP to issue updated guidelines to ensure employees are not placed under unnecessary pressure. The committee also reviewed concerns related to investment protection policies. Senator Manzoor Ahmed suggested that incentives provided to the Reko Diq project should also be considered for other investment projects in Pakistan. Finance Ministry officials informed the committee that only one project currently meets the existing criteria and the government’s financial position does not allow similar benefits for all projects. The Finance Minister assured the committee that future proposals would be reviewed according to available resources.

Senate Opposition Leader Allama Raja Nasir Abbas has said that Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) could return to parliamentary standing committees if a meeting is arranged with the party’s founder, Imran Khan. Speaking to journalists in Islamabad, Raja Nasir Abbas said that if the government wanted Parliament to continue functioning, it should facilitate a meeting between PTI leaders and Imran Khan. He alleged that deliberate ambiguity was being created about Imran Khan’s health, saying the situation was also aimed at creating divisions within the party. Raja Nasir Abbas recalled that before the passage of the 26th Constitutional Amendment, a meeting with Imran Khan had taken place on the orders of the court. He said his party wanted a government that genuinely represented the people. Commenting on Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi’s remarks about a possible collapse of the system, he said he agreed with the assessment. He added that the problem identified by Naqvi was real, but the proposed “medicine” to address it was illegal. The Senate opposition leader also claimed that he knew why negotiations between the government and PTI had failed. He said a complete plan for negotiations had been taken to Imran Khan at Adiala Jail, adding that the opposition had held a meeting at Khyber Pakhtunkhwa House before approaching the PTI founder. “We took several proposals to the founder,” he said, explaining that they did not want to visit the Prime Minister’s House and provide legal legitimacy to the government’s position. He said the same principle was behind their decision not to hold negotiations in the Speaker’s Office, as they did not recognise the arrangements as legally legitimate. Raja Nasir Abbas stressed that he distinguished between Imran Khan and the PTI as a political party, adding that he would stand by the former prime minister “until the last moment.” He reiterated that PTI could return to the standing committees if a meeting with Imran Khan was arranged. “If the government is serious about negotiations, it should come forward and talk,” he said, adding that the opposition was ready to hold talks in the Constitution Room of Parliament House.