Islamabad, January 27, 2022 (PPI-OT):68th meeting of the National Assembly Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue was held today at 10:30 a.m. in National Bank Headquarters, and Customs House, Karachi at 02:00 p.m. Karachi under the chairmanship of Mr. Faiz Ullah, MNA. Mr. Faiz Ullah, Chairman of the Committee welcomed the participants of the meeting.
The Committee discussed the overall performance of the National Bank of Pakistan. Mr. Tauqeer Mazhar, Acting President, apprised the Committee about the overall performance of National Bank of Pakistan restructuring of the National Bank of Pakistan on Digital Banking Group (DBG) launched the digital banking our customers can now avail 24+7 banking services at their convenience on all technology which easy for the costumers, Information Technology Group (ITG) reorganization in alignment with State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) guidelines and industry best practices to facilitate the costumers on easy banking, Operation Group (OPG) centralized operations control center to monitoring transactional actives and trade, accounts opening, Retail Banking Group (RBG), International Financial Institution Remittance Group (IFRG),.
He also informed the Committee that the National Bank of Pakistan has been upgraded the functions’ and operations of the Bank overall in Pakistan. He told the Committee the operational functions and operational mechanism are better than before. He also said that the Bank management has resolved the issue being faced by the banking system in different areas rest of the country.
He said that policies and mechanisms upgraded with the passage of time now the bank is working with smooth functions. He further, informed the Committee on the current position of National Bank of Pakistan loans on Mere Pakistan Mere Ghar has almost provided those who fulfill the requirements and other applications are also under the process.
He explained the process of loan applications and early completion and documentation of its disbursements on an urgent basis. Ms. Asma Sheikh, CHRO briefed the Committee on current policy and new appointments made by the National Bank of Pakistan during the last three years.
She informed the Committee that after 2012 the Board is decided that all appointments made on a contract basis. He said that the recruitment process is ongoing with the current vacant position and promotion.
The Committee directed the National Bank of Pakistan regarding disbursement of loans to the applicants should be expedited and ensures the provision of loans through one window operation.
The Committee appoints a sub-Committee with the following composition and TORs
Mr. Jamil Ahmed, MNA Convener
Mr. Faheem Khan, MNA
Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, MNA
i. “Current Promotions Policy and new appointments made by the NBP during last three years;
ii. “The NBP Bangladesh branch that caused a loss of $185 million to the national exchequer”
iii. National Bank of Pakistan lost the worth of 54 billion through Hascol Petroleum Limited as part of the scam.
Mr. Wajid Ali, Chief Collector (appraisement) briefed the Committee on Examination of import/export cargo/consignment/goods at sea Terminals / off-dock terminals wharfs/Dry ports/Airport/Customs stations and identification of misdeclarations. Reconciliation/audit of temporary import bonds (Raw material and machinery).
He informed the Committee that the Costumes Pakistan expedites the clearing of and appraisement of the shipment in Pakistan. He said that the Costumes is digitalized the process Risk Management System Cannel i.e Green, Red and Yellow to improve clearance time. He further informed about the grievances redressed mechanism initiate dedicated emails, seminars with stockholders to ensure their grievances were addressed timely.
He also said that the facilitation measures to pre-arrival clearance prior to the berthing of the vessel, reduction of port dwell time, potential and immediate clearing and direct container delivery express lance to reduce port congestion.
Mr. Abdul Qadir Memon, Chief Collector (Enforcement) briefed the Committee about the Export Facilitation, Passenger Facilitation, Anti-smuggling, and Revenue Collection. He said exports 24/7 processing of GDs 83% GDs were processed through Green Channel without any intervention of Customs and additional 9% were processed through Yellow Channel without examinations.
Share of Red is 8%. He further informed the Committee that the economic operators program has been launched following best international practices and duty drawback processing and payment fully automated with direct disbursement through the State Bank of Pakistan.
The Committee appreciated the initiatives being taken by Pakistan Costumes to improve the clearing process and fully automated payments to the importers and exporters.
The meeting was attended by MNAs Mr. Jamil Ahmed, Mr. Faheem Khan, Mr. Qaiser Ahmed Sheikh, Mr. Ali Pervaiz, Mr. Khalid Javed, Mr. Muhammad Israr Tareen, Ms. Nafisa Shah, and Mr. Abdul Wassay Mr. Amjad Ali Khan on video link MNAs beside the senior officers of the Ministry of Finance, National Bank of Pakistan and Pakistan Costumes.
For more information, contact:
Secretary,
National Assembly of Pakistan
Automation Centre, National Assembly Secretariat,
Parliament House, Islamabad, Pakistan
Tel: +92-51-9221082-83
Fax: +92-51-9221106
Email: assembly@na.gov.pk
Website: www.na.gov.pk