State Bank of Pakistan asks all exchange companies to submit Suspicious Transaction Reports, Currency Transaction Reports to Financial Monitoring Unit

Karachi: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed all the exchange companies to meticulously follow the requirements of Anti-Money Laundering (AML) /Countering Financing of Terrorism (CFT) regime by submitting Suspicious Transaction Reports (STRs) and Currency Transaction Reports (CTRs) manually or electronically as per Section 7 of AML Act, 2010, directly to the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU).

It may be clearly noted that section 33 of the AML Act 2010, inter alia, specifically provides for criminal sanctions on failure to file above mentioned reports and for providing false information. Furthermore, in case any EC is found to be in violation of above legal requirements, a simultaneous regulatory action shall be initiated against concerned EC and officials involved as per rules, which may result, among others, in suspension/ cancellation of licenses of the concerned company, says FE Circular No.01 issued to all exchange companies by the State Bank today.

The Circular reminded all the exchange companies that being “Financial Institutions” under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010, they are required to submit STRs and CTRs as per Section 7 of the AML Act, 2010, to the Financial Monitoring Unit (FMU).

The standard templates for STRs and CTRs are part of the AML Regulations 2008, issued under the AML Ordinance 2007 and protected under the AML Act, 2010. With a view to ensuring compliance of the legal and regulatory requirements, the State Bank of Pakistan issued the above mentioned circular to all exchange companies reminding their legal obligations under the Anti-Money Laundering Act 2010.

(FE Circular No.01 of January 06, 2012 is available at SBP website: www.sbp.org.pk )

For more information, contact:
Syed Wasimuddin
Chief Spokesman
State Bank of Pakistan (SBP)
Tel: +9221 3921 2562
Fax: +9221 3921 2563
Email: syed.wasimuddin@sbp.org.pk