State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Act, 1956

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THE STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN ACT, 1956 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
CONTENTS 
 
__________ 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
Preliminary 
SECTIONS 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement 
 
2.  Definitions 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
Establishment, Incorporation and Share Capital of the Bank 
 
3.  Establishment and incorporation of the Bank 
 
4.  Share capital 
 
4A Re-capitalization 
 
4B Objectives 
 
4C Functions of the Bank 
 
5.  [Omitted] 
 
6.  [Omitted] 
 
7.  [Omitted] 
 
CHAPTER III 
 
Management 
8.  Offices, branches and agencies 
 
8A.  Establishment and maintenance of subsidiary or trust 
Updated till 4.8.2022 

 
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9.  Board of Directors 
 
9A. Powers of the Board 
 
9B.  Meetings of the Board of Directors 
 
9C.  Prohibition on the Government borrowing 
 
9D.  Establishment of Monetary Policy Committee. 
 
9E.  Powers and functions of Monetary Policy Committee 
 
9F. Executive Committee 
 
9G. Governor and Minister of Finance to establish liaison 
 
10.  Governor and Deputy Governors 
 
11.  [Omitted] 
 
11A. Appointments 
 
12.  [Omitted] 
 
13.  Disqualifications of the Governor, Deputy Governors, Directors and members 
 
14.  Terms of Office 
 
14A.  Remuneration, terms and conditions of service 
 
14B.  Resignation 
 
15.  Dismissal of the Governor and Deputy Governor 
 
16.  [Omitted] 
 
16A.  Conflict of interest 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
Business and Functions of the Bank 
 
17.  Business which the Bank may transact 
 
17A.  [Omitted] 
 
17B.  [Omitted] 
 
17C.  [Omitted] 
 
17D.  [Omitted] 
 
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17E.  [Omitted] 
 
17F.  Contributions and donations by the Bank 
 
17G.  Lender of last resort 
 
17H.  Regulatory powers 
 
18.  Open market and credit operations 
 
19.  Declaration of approved foreign exchange 
 
20.  Business which the Bank may not transact 
 
21.  Government business 
 
22.  Service charges 
 
23.  International reserves portfolio 
 
24.  Sole right to issue bank notes 
 
25.  Legal tender 
 
26.  Issue Department 
 
27.  Denominations and form of bank notes 
 
28.  Reissue of notes 
 
29.  Lost, stolen, mutilated or imperfect notes 
 
30.  Assets of the Issue Department 
 
31.  Suspension of assets requirements 
 
32.  Liabilities of the Issue Department 
 
33.  Obligation to supply different forms of currency 
 
34.  Obligation of the Federal Government in respect of rupee coin 
 
35.  Offences and penalties relating to unauthorized issue of bills and bank notes 
 
36.  Minimum reserves 
 
37.  Scheduled banks 
 
38.  Power to require returns from Corporations 
 
 
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39.  Accountability 
 
40.  Annual financial statements and reports 
CHAPTER V 
 
General 
 
 
41.  General reserve, unrealized revaluation reserve and special reserve 
 
42.  Profits, losses, and distributable earnings 
 
43.  External Audit 
 
44.  Auditor General of Pakistan 
 
45.  Audit committee 
 
45A.  Chief internal auditor 
 
46.  The Bank and its officers to be public officers 
 
46A.  Production of unpublished record of Bank, etc. 
 
46B.  Functional and institutional autonomy 
 
47.  Pensions of Bank employees to be exempt from attachments, etc. 
 
48.  Exemption from stamp duty 
 
49.  Exemption from taxes 
 
50.  Liquidation of the Bank 
 
51.  Act or proceeding of the Board not to be questioned 
 
52.  [Omitted] 
 
52A. Protection of action taken in good faith and indemnity 
 
53.  Duty of officer and servants to maintain secrecy 
 
54.  Powers of the Board to make regulations 
 
54A.  Provisions to override other laws 
 
54B.  Removal of difficulties 
 
55  Repeal. 
 
THE SCHEDULE. [Omitted] 
 
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THE STATE BANK OF PAKISTAN ACT, 1956 
 
1ACT NO. XXXIII OF 1956 
 
[18th April, 1956] 
 
An Act to provide for the establishment of the State Bank of Pakistan. 
 
2[WHEREAS it is necessary to provide for the constitution of S tate Bank to achieve domestic 
price stability by way of regulating the monetary and credit system of Pakistan and, without prejudice 
to said primary objective, contribute to the stability of the financial system of Pakistan and supporting 
the general economic policies of the Federal Government to foster development and fuller utilization 
of the country’s productive resources;] 
 
It is hereby enacted as follows:— 
 
CHAPTER I 
 
PRELIMINARY 
 
1.  Short title, extent and commencement.— (1) This Act may be cited as the State Bank of 
Pakistan Act, 1956.  
 
(2) It extends to the whole of Pakistan. 
 
(3) It shall come into force at once and except section 46, shall be deemed to have taken effect 
on and from the twelfth day of May 1948. 
 
2. Definitions. In this Act, unless there is anything repugnant in the subject or context, 
 
(a) 3[ *  *  * * * * * ] 
 
2[(aa)  “advanced degree” means a postgraduate qualification;] 
 
(b)  “approved foreign exchange” means currenci es declared as such by any 
notification under section 19 ; 
 
(c)  “the Bank” means the State Bank of Pakistan ; 
 
(d)  “bank notes” means notes made and issued by the Bank in accordance with 
section 24 and include currency notes of the Government of Pakistan issued by 
the Bank ; 
 
(e)  “3[Board]” means the 3[Board] of Directors of the Bank ; 
 
 
 
1For Statement of Objects and Reasons, see Gaz. of P., 1956, Ext. dated the 6th April, 1956, p. 620. 
 
The Act and the rules, notifications and orders made thereunder, as in force in N.W.F.P., before the 15th July, 1975, have been applied to the 
Districts of Chitral, Dir and Swat and Malak and Protected Area of the N.W.F.P. by Regulation No. III of 1975, s. 2 and the Sch. 
 
The Act and the rules, notifications and Orders made thereunder, have been applied to the whole of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas 
or to the parts of those Areas to which they do not already apply, by Regulation No. 1 of 1975, s. 2 and the Schedule. 
 
2Subs. and Ins.by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), ss. 2 & 3 
 
3Omitted & Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 2 
 
 
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(f )  “Co‑operative Bank” means a society registered under the Co ‑operative 
Societies Act, 1912, or any other law for the time being in force in Pakistan 
relating to co ‑operative societies, the primary object of which is to provide 
financial accommodation to its members ; 
 
1[(ff)  “debentures” includes participation term certificates ;] 
 
2[(ffa)  “development finance activity” means to undertake an activity to promote any 
activity of any priority sector such as agriculture, small and medium enterprises, 
housing or other such sectors;] 
 
(g)  “Director” means a Director for the time being of the 3[Board] ; 
 
(h) 3 [*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
(i) “Governor” and “Deputy Governor” mean respectively the Governor and 
Deputy Governor of the Bank; 
 
2[(ia)  “international reserves” mean the Bank’s foreign exchange reserves;] 
 
1[ (ii)  “loans and advances” includes finances provided on the basis of participation 
in profit and loss, mark-up in price, leasing, hire purchase of otherwise;] 
 
(j) 3 [*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
  
(k)  “member” means a member for the time being of a 3[The Monitory Policy 
Committee] ; 
 
2[(ka)  “monetary liabilities” means the total liabilities of the Bank as reflected in the 
annual audited financial statements at the balance sheet date as reduced by the 
sum of following liabilities of the same date, namely: -  
 
(i)  deposits of the Government;  
 
(ii)  amounts owing to the international Monetary Fund, the World Bank, 
Asian Development Bank or other such institutions; 
 
(iii)  deposits of foreign central banks or sovereign wealth funds; 
 
(iv)  utilized swap lines of foreign central banks; and 
 
(v)  balances of participant central banks under any clearing union; 
 
(kb)  “price stability” means the maintenance of low and stable inflation guided by 
the government’s medium-term inflation target;  
 
(kc)  “recognized university” means a university or equivalent academic institution 
recognized by the Higher Education Commission of Pakistan;] 
 
(l)  “rupee coin” means one‑rupee coin 3[* * *] which 3[is] legal tender in Pakistan; 
 
1Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1980 (57 of 1980), s. 2. 
2Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 3. 
3Omitted and Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 2. 
 
 
Page 7 of 37 
 
(m)  “scheduled bank” means a bank for the time being included in the list of Banks   
maintained under subsection (1) of section 37 1[;] 
 
1[(n)  “securities” includes securities as defined in the Capital Issues (Continuance of 
Control) Act, 1947 (XXIX of 1947). 
 
(o)  “shares” includes modaraba certificates 2[;and]] 
 
3[(oa)  “Government” means the Federal or a Provincial Government or a Local 
Government, as the case may be;] 
 
2[(p)  “Monetary Policy Committee” means the Monetary Policy Committee 
established under section 9D.”.] 
 
___________ 
 
 
CHAPTER II 
 
ESTABLISHMENT, INCORPORATION AND SHARE CAPITAL OF THE BANK 
 
3. Establishment and incorporation of the Bank.—(1) As soon as may be after the 
commencement of this Act, steps shall be taken to establish, in accordance with the provisions of this 
Act, a bank to be called the State Bank of Pakistan or Bank‑e‑Daulat‑e‑Pakistan, for the purposes of 
taking over, as from the first day of July, 1948, the management of the currency from the Reserve Bank 
of India, and carrying on the business of Central Banking. 
 
(2) The Bank shall be a body corporate by the name of the State Bank of Pakistan or 
Bank‑e‑Daulat‑e‑Pakistan, having perpetual succession and a common seal, and shall by the said name 
sue and be sued. 
 
3[(3) Subject to this Act, the Bank shall have the power to acquire, hold and dispose of movable 
and immovable property of any kind, to enter into contracts and to undertak e all activities necessary 
for the achievement of its objectives.] 
 
4[4. Share capital. ⸺(1)The authorized capital of the Bank shall be five hundred billion 
Rupees, divided into five billion shares of one hundred Rupees each . The authorized capital may be 
increased by the resolution of the Board, subject to the approval of the Federal Government. 
 
(2) The paid-up capital of the Bank shall be one hundred billion Rupees, divided into one billion 
shares of one hundred Rupees each, which shall be made up through issuance of bonus shares by 
capitalizing of profits or general reserve or through subscription of shares in cash by the Federal 
Government. 
 
(3) The capital shall be fully paid-up and held exclusively by the Federal Government and shall 
not be transferable to any other person or entity. 
 
 
1Subs. & added by the State Bank of Pakistan (Second Amendment) Ordinance, 1980 (57 of 1980), s. 2 
2Subs. and added by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 2 
3Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), ss. 3-4 
4Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 5 
 
Page 8 of 37 
 
(4) The Board may, with the prior approval of the Federal Government, increase the paid -up 
capital from time to time by a resolution, which shall be mad e up in the same manner as specified in 
sub-section (2). 
 
(5) No reduction in either the authorized capital or paid-up capital shall be made at any time. 
 
(6) The nominal value, issue price, the manner in which the new shares may be issued and their 
assignment to the register of shareholders shall be determined by the Board. 
 
(7) Notwithstanding the amount of paid-up capital prescribed in sub-sections (2), the paid-up 
capital and general reserves of the Bank shall increase to eight percent of its monetary liabilities 
through allocation from the distributable profit as determined in section 42.] 
 
 
1[4A. Re-capitalization.⸺ln the event that in the audited annual financial statements of the 
Bank, the sum of paid-up capital and general reserves falls below zero, then⸺ 
 
(a) the Board, with the advice of the external auditors of the Bank, shall examine 
and prepare a-report on the causes and extent of the shortfall within a period not 
exceeding thirty calendar days; 
 
(b) in the event that the Board approves the report under clause (a), the Bank shall 
request the Federal Government for a capital contribution to remedy the deficit 
with a view to restoring the capital to the level of prescribed paid -up capital 
under section 4; and 
 
(c) upon receipt of the request under clause (b), th e Federal Government shall, 
within a period not exceeding thirty calendar days, transfer to the Bank the 
necessary amount in cash or in negotiable debt instruments with a specified 
maturity issued at prevailing market-related interest rates.  
 
4B. Objectiv es.⸺(1) The primary objective of the Bank shall be to achieve and maintain 
domestic price stability. 
 
(2) Without prejudice to the Bank’s primary objective, the Bank shall contribute to the stability 
of the financial system of Pakistan. 
 
(3) Subject to su b-sections (1) and (2), the Bank shall support the Government’s general 
economic policies with a view to contributing to fostering the development and fuller utilization of 
Pakistan’s productive resources. 
 
4C. Functions of the Bank.⸺The functions of the Bank to achieve the objectives set forth in 
section 4B and as further described in this Act, shall be to⸺ 
 
(a)  determine and implement monetary policy; 
 
(b)  formulate and implement the exchange rate policy; 
 
 
1Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 6. 
 
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(c)  carry out and disseminate research relevant to Bank’s objectives and functions; 
 
(d)  hold and manage all international reserves of Pakistan; 
 
(e)  issue and manage the currency of Pakistan, including regulating their 
denominations; 
 
(f)  collect and produce statistics relevant to the Banks objectives and functions; 
 
(g)  operate and exercise oversight over payment systems; 
 
(h)  license regulate and supervise scheduled banks and financial institutions that 
fall under the domain of the Bank as further specified in this Act or any other 
Act; 
 
(i)  resolve scheduled banks and other financial institutions that fall under the 
domain of the Bank as further specified in this Act or any other Act; 
 
(j)  adopt and implement macro-prudential policy measures for scheduled banks 
and financial institutions that fall under the domain of the Bank; 
 
(k)  act as the banker, financial adviser and fiscal agent to the Government, and its 
agencies, on the mutually agreed terms and conditions; 
 
(l)  promote financial inclusion in Pakistan; 
 
(m)  develop financial market infrastructures; 
 
(n)  participate in international councils and organizations, including multilateral, 
international financial institutions; 
 
(o)  cooperate with domestic and foreign public entities, concerning matters related 
to its objectives and functions; and 
 
(p)  carry out any ancillary activities incidental to the exercise of its objectives 
under this Act.] 
 
 
1[5 *  *  *  *  *  *  * 
 
 
 6 *  *  *  *  *  *  * 
 
 
 7 *  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
 
 
 
1Omitted by XVIII of 2015, s. 4 
 
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CHAPTER III 
 
MANAGEMENT 
 
8. Offices, branches and agencies.—(1) The head office of the Bank shall be situated in 
Karachi. 
 
(2) The Bank may establish branches, offices, and agencies in Pakistan, or, with the prior 
approval of the 1[Board] anywhere outside Pakistan. 
 
  (3) The Bank shall create a special Agricultural Credit Department, the functions of which shall 
be :― 
 
(a)  to maintain an expert staff to study all questions of agricultural credit and be, 
available for consultation by the 2[Federal Government], Provincial 
Governments, Provincial Co‑operative Banks and other banking organisations ; 
 
(b)  to co‑ordinate the operations of the Bank in connection with agricultural credit 
and its relations with the Provincial Co‑operative Banks and any other 
organisations engaged in the business of agricultural credit. 
 
3[8A. Establishment and maintenance of subsidiary or trust.― Notwithstanding anything 
to this Act or in any other law for the time being in force, the Bank may establish and maintain a 
subsidiary or a trust for the following purposes, namely:― 
 
(a)  for catering to all training needs of the Bank employees, financial sector and 
other agencies, organizations or institutions pertaining to banking and finance 
sector; 
 
(b)  for handling the function of receipt, supply and exchange of bank notes and 
coins which are legal tender; 
 
(c)  for issue, supply, sale and purchase of prize bonds, holding draws thereof and 
other National Savings Instruments; 4[*] 
 
4[(d)  for protection of depositors or establishment of a deposit protection fund; and]  
 
4[(e)]  generally for carrying out any other business or discharging any functions 
incidental to, or connected with, the affairs of the Bank. 
 
5[9. Board of Directors.⸺(1) Subject to section 9D, oversight of the affairs and functions of 
the Bank shall be entrusted to the Board of Directors, which shall supervise the management and the 
Bank’s administration, operations and have the right of access to all the activities of the Bank. 
 
(2) The Board of Directors shall consist of⸺ 
 
(a)  the Governor; 
 
 
1Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 5. 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
3Ins. by Ord. IX of 2001, s. 2. 
4Omitted, renumbered, ins by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 6. 
5Ss. 9, 9A, 9B and 9C subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 7. 
 
Page 11 of 37 
 
(b)  Secretary, Finance Division, Government of Pakistan without the right to vote; 
and  
 
(c)  eight non-executive Directors, including at least one from each Province. 
 
(3) The Deputy Governors shall have the right to attend the Board meetings without the right 
to vote. 
 
(4) The Governor shall be the Chairperson of the Board. ln the Governor’s absence, the Board 
shall be chaired by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Board meeting agenda items: 
 
Provided that when the Deputy Governor chairs the Board meeting in absence of the Governor, 
the Deputy Governor shall have the right of casting vote. 
 
(5) The nonexecutive Directors shall be eminent professionals each of whom is well-known for 
his integrity, expertise, and experience in the fields of economics, financial services, banking, law, 
information technology, risk management or accountancy to perform the oversight. They shall have an 
advanced degree from a recognized university or hold professional accreditation, and relevant 
experience in any such fields, or not less than ten years. 
 
9A. Powers of the Board.⸺(1)The Board, with the exception of the powers entrusted to the 
Monetary Policy Committee under section 9D, shall perform the following functions, namely:⸺ 
 
(a)  define, approve and determine the general internal policies and rules of the Bank 
regarding th e execution of its functions and approve internal rules for their 
implementation; 
 
(b)  formulate and ove rsee foreign exchange reserve management, strategic 
investment and risk policy; 
 
(c)  approve the annual budget of the Bank; 
 
(d)  approve the annual report and financial statements of the Bank; 
 
(e)  adopt and oversee the Bank ’s policies on internal and external audit, 
compliance, internal controls and risk management; 
 
(f)  adopt and oversee the system of financial reporting, accounting policies, 
information technology and security in the Bank; and 
 
(g)  establish committees of the Board to assist in oversight functions. 
 
9B. Meetings of the Board of Directors.⸺(1) At least six meetings of the Board shall be held 
in a financial year and as frequently as is necessary for the purpose of discharging its responsibilities 
under this Act. 
 
(2) Meetings of the Board shall be convened by the Chairperson or at the written request of any 
three members of the Board. 
 
(3) The quorum for a Board meeting shall be four members, including the Chairperson. 
 
(4) Each member of the Board shall have one vote and in the event of an equality of votes, the 
person chairing the meeting shall be entitled to a casting vote. 
 
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(5) Except as otherwise provided in this Act,  decisions of the Board shall be  adopted by a 
majority of the Board members present and voting at the meeting. 
 
(6) A resolution in writing together with the necessary documents, approved by all the directors 
of the Board for the time being entitled to rec eive notice of a meeting of the Board shall be as valid 
and effectual as if it had been passed at a meeting of the Board duly convened and held. A resolution 
under this sub-section shall be noted at a subsequent meeting of the Board and made part of the minutes 
of such meeting. 
 
(7) Any or all the documents sent to the Directors, including by email or any other electronic 
mode shall be considered a valid document. 
(8) The acts done by the Board shall be valid notwithstanding the fact that the appointment of  
any person as a member of the Board is defective or any person was disqualified for such appointment. 
9C. Prohibition on the Government borrowing .⸺(1) The Bank shall not extend any direct 
credits to or guarantee any obligations of the Government, or any g overnment-owned entity or any 
other public entity. 
(2) The p rohibition laid down in sub-section (1) shall not apply to government -owned or 
publicly-owned banks and other regulated entities, which shall be given the same treatment as 
privately-owned banks. 
(3) The Bank shall not purchase securities issued by the Government or, any government -
owned entity or any other public entity on the primary market. Nonetheless the Bank may purchase 
such securities in the secondary market. 
(4) The Bank shall not guarantee any loan, advance or investment entered into by the 
Government, any government-owned entity or any other public entity: 
Provided that the existing outstanding debt owed to the Bank in the form of loans, advances or 
Government securities purchased on the primary market, at the time of the commencement of the State 
Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2021 shall be retired in accordance with the terms and conditions 
under which such outstanding debts were extended. In compliance with the prohibition of  monetary 
financing under this section no roll -over or re -profiling of such existing outstanding debt of the 
Government owed to the Bank shall be permitted. 
(5) The guarantees issued by the Bank to secure the obligations of the Government outstanding 
on the commencement of the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2021, shall not be increased, 
but can be rolled -over in accordance with the terms and conditions under which such outstanding 
guarantees were issued. 
(6) The amount of overdraft outstanding against Pakistan Railways shall be converted into long 
term debt with a duration of eight years and remunerated at market interest rates.] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
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1[9D. Establishment of Monetary Policy Committee.—(1) There shall be Monetary Policy 
Committee consisting of— 
 
(a) Governor, or in his absence, a Deputy Governor nominated by him Chairperson 
(b) three senior executives of the Bank to be nominated by the Governor Members 
(c) three members of the Board, to be nominated by the Board Members 
(d) three external members, 2[*******] Members 
 
(2) 2[*  * * * * * *] 
 
(3) 2[*  * * * * * *] 
 
2[(4) External members shall be eminent professionals or academics from the fields of 
economics, finance or banking, having an advanced degree from a recognized university and relevant 
experience in any such fields for at least ten years.] 
  
2[(5) The Monetary Policy Committee shall determine its own regulations of procedure.] 
 
2[(6) The quorum for the Monetary Policy Committee meeting shall be four members including 
at least one of whom shall be the Governor as Chairperson, or in his absence, the relevant Deputy 
Governor as nominated by the Governor, one non -executive member of the Board, one external 
member and one senior executive of the Bank. The dec ision shall be taken by a majority of members 
present and voting, with the Chairperson having a casting vote.] 
9E. Powers and functions of Monetary Policy Committee.— 3[In order to achieve the 
objectives of the Bank, the Monetary Policy Committee] shall— 
(a)  formulate 3[***] the monetary policy, including, as appropriate, decisions 
relating to intermediate monetary objectives, key interest rates and the supply 
of reserves in Pakistan and may make regulations for their implementation ; 
 
(b)  approve and issue the monetary policy statement and other monetary policy 
measures ; 
 
(c)  perform any other functions conferred on it by law; and  
 
(d)  carry out any ancillary activities incidental to the exercise of its functions under 
this act.] 
 
4[9F. Executive Committee .⸺(1) An Executive Committee shall be established with the 
power to formulate policies related to the Bank ’s core functions as well as those related to 
administration and management matters, excluding those matters falling in the purview  of the 
Monetary Policy Committee, or the Board of Directors. 
 
 
1Ins. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 11 
2Omitted and subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 8 
3Subs. and omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 9 
4Ss. 9F and 9G subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 10 
 
Page 14 of 37 
 
(2) The Executive Committee shall consist of the Governor, the Deputy Governors, Executive 
Directors, and as needed other senior officials. The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall have the 
right to vote on decisions taken by the Executive Committee. The Governor shall have the casting vote.  
 
(3) The Executive Committee shall adopt its own rules of procedure. 
 
(4) The Executive Committee shall be chaired by the Governor and in the Governor absence, 
by the Deputy Governor in charge of the Executive Committee meeting agenda items. 
 
(5) The quorum for an Executive Committee meeting shall be  two members, including the 
Chairperson. 
 
(6) The Executive Committee may delegate, for implementation of its decisions, any of its 
powers to another committee of the Bank, or to another official of the Bank. 
 
(7) Any residual matters that have not been ex plicitly addressed in this Act or allocated t o the 
Board of Directors or the Monetary Policy Committee, if they require a policy decision shall be 
exercised by the Executive Committee or otherwise the Governor. 
 
9G. Governor and Minister of Finance to establish liaison.⸺ The Governor and the Finance 
Minister shall establish a close liaison through a mutual agreement with each other and shall keep each 
other fully informed on all matters which jointly concern the Bank and the Ministry of Finance.] 
 
1[10. Governor and Deputy Governors.⸺(1) The Governor of the Bank shall be its chief 
executive officer, who shall chair the Executive Committee and ensure the implementation of the 
decisions taken and policies adopted by the Board of Directors, Executive Committee and Monetary 
Policy Committee, and shall represent the Bank externally in person or through a nominee. 
 
(2) At any time when the office of Governor is vacant or the governor is incapacitated, the 
senior most Deputy Governor shall be the Acting governor, until the Governor is appointed. Whenever, 
the Governor is on leave or travelling abroad, he may designate in writing one of the Deputy Governors 
as Acting Governor who, while chairing Board meeting in the absence of Governor, shall in casa of 
equality of votes have casting vote. 
 
(3) There shall be three Deputy Governors. 
 
(4) A Deputy Governor shall perform such duties as may be assigned to him by the Governor.  
 
(5) Persons eligible to serve the of fices referred to in sub -sections (1) and (3) shall possess 
recognized integrity, expertise and advanced degree from a recognized university in the fields of 
economics, financial services, accountancy or banking with relevant professional experience in any 
such field for at least ten years.] 
 
 
11. 2[*  * * * * * *] 
 
3[11A. Appointments.⸺(1) The Governor and the non-executive Directors shall be appointed 
by the President, upon the recommendation of the Federal Government taking into account the 
eligibility and disqualification criteria laid down in this Act. 
_________________________________________________________________________________ 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 11 
2S. 11 omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2015 (XVIII of 2015), s. 13 
3Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s.12 
 
 
 
Page 15 of 37 
 
(2) The Deputy Governors shall be appointed by the Federal Government after consultation 
between the Minister of Finance and the Governor, from amongst a panel of three candidates 
recommended by the Governor for each vacant position, in order of merit. 
 
(3) External members of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be appointed by the Federal 
Government, upon the recommendation of the Board. 
 
(4) In the event of a vacancy occurring amongst the appointed Governor, Deputy Governors, 
non-executive Directors and the external members of the Monetary Policy Committee, an appointment 
referred to in sub-sections (1), (2) and (3) shall be finalized within a period not exceeding thirty days 
on the occurrence of such vacancy. 
 
(5) The Governor and the Deputy Governors shall devote their whole time to the affairs of the 
Bank and shall not engage in any business or other profession so long as they hold their offices during 
their tenure. 
 
(6) The Governor shall be a citizen of Pakistan and shall not hold any other citizenship or 
permanent residency.] 
 
12. 1[*  * * * * * *] 
 
2[13. Disqualifications of the Governor, Deputy Governors, Directors and members.⸺ No 
person shall be or shall continue to be the Governor, a non-executive Director, an external member of 
Monetary Policy Committee and a Deputy Governor, who⸺ 
 
(a) is a member of the Parliament or a Provincial Assembly or a Local Government 
or having dual Nationality; 
 
(b) is employed in any capacity in the public service of Pakistan or of any Province 
of Pakistan or any statutory body except the Bank or holds any office or position 
for which any salary or other remuneration is payable from public funds, except 
for engagement in educational work or senior executives of the Bank; 
 
(c) is or has been convicted of a serious criminal offense, money laundering, fraud 
or economic crime; 
 
(d) is, or at any time has been an undischarged insolvent; or has suspended payment 
or has compounded with the creditors; 
 
(e) is found to be permanently physically or mentally unable to perform the duties; 
 
(f) is a Director, officer or employee of any other bank or an entity regulated by the 
Bank; 
 
(g) is a shareholder of any bank or an entity regulated by the Bank; 
 
(h) is a member of any political party; 
 
(i) due to age is not able to complete the full term of appointment; or 
 
(j) absents themselves from three consecutive meetings of the Board or Monetary 
Policy Committee without leave from the Board or Monetary Policy Committee, 
as the case may be.] 
 
1S. 12 omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2015 (XVIII of 2015), s. 13 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 13 
 
Page 16 of 37 
 
1[14. Terms of Office.⸺(1)The Governor, the Deputy Governors, the non-executive directors 
shall be appointed for a term of five y ears and shall be eligible for re -appointment only for one term 
of five years. 
 
(2) The external members of the Monetary Policy Committee shall be appointed for a term of 
five years and shall be eligible for one re-appointment for another term of five years. 
 
(3) No person shall hold the office of the Governor or Deputy Governor after attaining the age 
of sixty-five years. 
 
(4) The Governor, Dep uty Governor, non -executive Director or extremal member o f the 
monetary policy committee vacating office shall not be eligible to become a Direc tor or member, as 
the case may be, until the expiry of the term of office for which he was appointed. 
 
(5) On commencement of the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2021 shall not affect 
the tenure of the incumbent Governor, Deputy Governors, and non -executive Directors who shall 
remain in office until their current term expires in accordance with their current terms and conditions.] 
 
2[14A. Remuneration, terms and conditions  of service.⸺(l) The terms and conditions of  
service, including remuneration, of the Governor and the Deputy Governors shall be determined by 
the Board of Directors. 
 
(2) The leaves and official foreign travels of  the Governor and Deputy Governors, shall be 
determined by the Board and the Governor, respectively. 
 
(3) The terms and conditions including the remuneration for the external members of the 
Monetary Policy Committee shall be determined by the Board of Directors. 
 
(4) The Governor and Deputy Governors shall recuse themselves from the meeting at the time 
of determination of their terms and conditions and remuneration. 
 
(5) The terms and conditions of the appointment of the non-executive Directors including fees 
shall be determined by their appointing authority and shall be attached to the offer of their appointment. 
 
(6) When determining the remuneration of the Governor, Deputy Governors and the fees of the 
non-executive Directors and external members of  the Monetary Policy Committee, the average 
relevant level of remuneration or fees prevalent in the financial sector of Pakistan for comparable levels 
of appointment shall be taken into account, in order to allow for qualified professionals to be recruited 
and retained. 
 
(7) The consolidated amount of remuneration of the Governor and Deputy Governors and fees 
of non -executive Directors and the external members of the Monetary Policy Co mmittee shall b e 
mentioned in the annual financial statement of the Bank. 
 
(8) Neither the remuneration and fees nor the terms and conditions of service shall be varied to 
the appointee’s disadvantage during his term of office. 
 
(9) No remuneration or fees or compensation shall be based on the Bank’s profits or any of its 
revenues. 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 14 
2Ss. 14A and 14B ins..by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 15 
 
Page 17 of 37 
 
14B. Resignation.⸺(1) The Governor, a Deputy Governor, a non -executive Director or an 
external member of the Monetary Policy Committee may, by writing under his hand addressed to the 
appointing authority, resign his office. 
 
(2) A resignation in sub-sections (1) shall be addressed through the Board. 
 
(3) On the acceptance of a resignation under sub-section (1) by the appointing authority, the 
office shall become vacant.] 
 
1[15. Dismissal of the Governor and Deputy Governor.⸺ (1) The appointing authority may 
remove the Governor, or a Deputy Governor, if he⸺ 
 
(a) is guilty of gross misconduct; or 
 
(b) is incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of 
physical or mental incapacity; or 
 
(c) has violated any of the stipulations mentioned in section 13. 
 
(2) The appointing authority shall remove any non-executive Director or external member of 
the Monetary Policy Committee if he⸺ 
 
(a) is guilty of gross misconduct; or 
 
(b) is incapable of properly performing the duties of his office by reason of 
physical or mental incapacity; or 
 
(c) has violated any of the stipulations mentioned in sections 13: 
 
Provided that no proceedings under sub-sections (1) and (2) shall be initiated 
unless a show cause notice, including an opportunity of being heard, is given to such 
person.] 
 
 
(3)  
(a)  The Governor, a Deputy Governor or a director may resign his office by 
statement to that effect in writing signed by him and addressed to the 1[Federal 
Government]. 
 
(b)  A statement of resignation by a Deputy Governor or director shall be 
addressed as above through the Governor. 
 
(c)  A 2[director or] member may resign his office by a statement to that effect in 
writing signed by him and addressed to the 2[Board]. 
 
(d)  On the acceptance of such a resignation by the 3[Federal Government] or the 
2[Board], as the case may be, the office shall become vacant. 
 
(4) Any director or member vacating office under this section shall not be eligible to become 
a director or member, as the case may be, until the expiry of the term of office for which he was 
2[appointed]. 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 16 
2Ins, subs & omitted by Act XVIII of 2015, ss. 2 and 16 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.), Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “central Government”. 
 
Page 18 of 37 
 
(5) In the event of a vacancy occurring amongst the 1[appointed directors], the 2[Federal 
Government] shall fill the vacancy by 1[appointing another director]. 
 
(6)   1[*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
16.  3[*   *  *   *  *  *  *] 
 
4[16A. Conflict of interest .⸺ No person appointed under section 11A shall act as a 
representative of any commercial, financial, agricultural, industrial or other interest or receive or accept 
directions therefrom, in respect of duties to be performed under this Act. Every such person shall fully 
and promptly disclose to the Board any interest, whether personal, commercial, financial, agricultural, 
industrial or other, which he or any dependent member of his family may directly or indirectly hold or 
be connected with and which becomes the subject of consideration by the Board, and shall recuse 
themselves from any Board deliberations and voting related thereto: 
 
Provided that such an interest, if so disclosed, shall not disqualify such member for the purpose 
of constituting a quorum: 
 
Provided that no person appointed under section 11A shall be employed by any in stitution 
regulated by the Bank within a period of two years after vacating his position at the Bank.] 
 
 
CHAPTER IV 
 
BUSINESS AND FUNCTIONS OF THE BANK 
 
17. Business which the Bank may transact. The Bank is authorised to carry on and transact 
the several kinds of business hereinafter specified, namely: 
 
(1) The accepting of money on deposit 5* * from, and the collection of money for the 2[Federal 
Government], the Provincial Governments 6* * * Local Authorities, banks and other persons 7[:] 
7[Provided that no interest shall be paid on deposits received from the 2[Federal Government], a 
Provincial Government 6* * * or a Local Authority;] 
 
8[(1A) provide the refinance facility exclusively to the financial institutions falling under the 
supervisory jurisdiction of the Bank backed by such collateral and on such terms and conditions as 
may be determined by the Bank. This refinance shall not be provided to any person other than a 
financial institution. The Bank shall implement the refinance facility exclusively in pursuit of its 
mandate, without compromising its primary objective of price stability. The Bank shall not use the 
refinancing facility to directly or indirectly provide privileged access to funding to any financial 
institution or risk insurance of any specific sector.] 
 
(2) 
(a)  9[*  * * * * * *] 
 
(b)  9[*  * * * * * *] 
 
 
1Ins, subs & omitted by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 16 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
3Ins, subs & omitted by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 17 
4Ins. and subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 17 
5Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1967 (1 of 1968), s.2 
6Omitted by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
7Subs. and ins. by Act 1 of 1968, s.2 
8Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18 
9Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18 
 
Page 19 of 37 
 
 (c)  The purchase, sale and rediscount of bills of exchange and promissory notes 
drawn on and payable in Pakistan and bearing the signature of a scheduled bank, 
and issued or drawn for the purpose of holding or trading in securities of the 
1[Federal Government or a Provincial Government] and maturing within ninety 
days from the date of such purchase or rediscount, exclusive of days of grace ; 
 
(d)  2[* * * * * * *] 
 
(e)  2[* * * * * * *] 
 
(3)  (a)  The purchase and sale of approved foreign exchange ; 
 
(b)  The purchase, sale and rediscount of bills of exchange including treasury bills, 
drawn in or on any place in countries whose currency has been declared as 
approved foreign exchange and maturing within 3[one hundred and eighty days] 
from the date of purchase, provided that no such purchase, sale or rediscount 
shall be made in Pakistan except with a scheduled bank ; 
 
(c) The keeping of balances with banks in countries whose currency has been 
declared as approved foreign exchange ; 
 
(4) The making to 4[5[**] scheduled banks or co­operative banks] of advances and loans 
repayable on demand or on the expiry of fixed periods not exceeding 6[one hundred and eighty days] 
against the security of— 
 
(a)  stocks, funds and securities, other than immovable property, in which trustee is 
authorised to invest trust money by any law for the time being in force in 
Pakistan ; 
 
(b)  gold or silver or documents of title to the same ; 
 
(c)  such bills of exchange and promissory notes as are eligible for purchase or 
rediscount by the Bank 6[or otherwise fulfil the requirements of clause (2) but 
are payable on demand]; and 
 
7[(d)  promissory notes of any scheduled bank supported by such modarab a 
certificates or participation term certificates as are acceptable to the bank or by 
documents of title relating to goods, such documents having been transferred, 
assigned or pledged to any such bank as security for a loan or advance granted 
for bona fide commercial or trade transactions or for the purpose of financing 
seasonal agricultural operations or the marketing of crops ;] 
 
 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1961 (5 of 1961), 
2Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 1965 (6 of 1965), s. 2 for 90 days. 
4Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1961 (5 of 1961), s. 2, for “Local Authorities or scheduled banks”. 
5Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18. 
6Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan Ordinance, 1981 (16 of 1981), ss. 2-5 
7Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1980 (57 of 1980), s. 3. 
 
 
 
Page 20 of 37 
 
1[(4A) * * * * * * *] 
 
1[(4B) * * * * * * *] 
 
1[(4C) * * * * * * *] 
 
1[(4D) any balances held by the Bank under omitted sections 17A, 17B, 17C, 17D and 17E 
shall stand transferred to the paid-up capital and general reserves of the Bank;] 
 
1[(5)  *  * * * * * *] 
 
1[(6)   *  * * * * * *] 
 
1[(6A) * * * * * * *] 
 
1[(6B) * * * * * * *] 
 
(7) The issue and purchase of telegraphic transfers, demand drafts and other kinds of 
remittances made payable at its own branches, offices or agencies ; 
 
(8) The drawing, accepting, making and issue, on its own account or on account of the 2[Federal 
Government] as the case may be, of any bill of exchange, 1[*], promissory note or engagement for the 
payment within or without Pakistan, of Pakistan or foreign currency payable to bearer or to a banker 
on demand; 1[* * * * * * *] ; 
 
(9)  
(a)  Subject to 3[sub­clause] (b) the purchase and sale of securities of countries 
whose currency has been declared as approved foreign exchange with an 
unexpired currency of not more than ten years ; 
 
(b)  The restrictions relating to maturity shall not apply to securities held by the bank 
on the date on which th is Act comes into force or any securities that may be 
received as assets under the Pakistan (Monetary System and Reserve Bank) 
Order, 1947 ; 
 
(10) (a)  The purchase and sale of securities of the 4[Federal Government or a Provincial 
Government] of any maturity or of such securities of a Local Authority as may 
be specified in this behalf by the 2[Federal Government] by notification in the 
official Gazette on the recommendation of the 5[Board] ; 
 
(b)  Securities, debentures and shares fully guaranteed as to pr incipal and interest 
by the 2[Federal Government] shall be deemed for the purpose of this section to 
be securities of that Government ; 
 
 
 
 
1Omitted and Inserted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1967 (1 of 1968), s. 2. 
4Subs by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
5Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 2  
 
Page 21 of 37 
 
1[(c)  The amount of such securities held at any time in the Banking Department shall 
be so regulated that the total value of such securities shall not exceed the 
aggregate amount of the share capital of the Bank, the Reserve Fund and four 
fifths of the liabilities of the Banking Department in respect of deposits 2[:]] 
 
2[Provided that the Bank may only undertake the above operations or 
purchase such securities on the secondary markets.] 
 
3[(11) The custody of monies, securities and other articles of value and the collection if the 
proceeds, whether principal or interest, profit, dividend or other return of any such securities ;] 
 
(12) The sale and realisation of all property, whether movable or immovable which may in any 
way come into the possession of the Bank in satisfaction, or part satisfaction of any of its claims ; 
 
(13) The acting as agent to the 4[Federal Government]; any Provincial Government, 5* * * or 
any Local Authority in the transaction of any of the following kinds of business, namely : 
 
(a)  the purchase and sale of gold or silver or approved foreign exchange; 
 
(b)  the purchase, sale, transfer and custody of bills of exchange, securities or shares 
in any company ; 
 
3[(c)  the collection of the proceeds, whether principal or interest, profit, dividend or 
other return, of any securities ;] 
 
(d)  the remittance of such proceeds at the risk of the principal, by bills of exchange 
payable either in Pakistan or elsewhere ; 6* 
 
(e)  the management of public debt; 6[and] 
  
6[(f)  the transacting of special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund;]  
 
(14)  The purchase and sale of gold coin and gold or silver bullion ; 
 
(15) The opening of an account with or the making of any agency arrangement with, and the 
acting as agent or correspondent of a bank incorporated in any country outside Pakistan or the principal 
currency authority of any country under the law for the time being in force in that country or any 
7[international or regional bank formed by such principal currency authorities, 6* the investing of the 
funds of the Bank in the shares and securities of any such i nternational or regional bank  6[and the 
holding and transacting of special drawing rights with the International Monetary Fund]]; 
 
(16)  
(a)  Subject to 8[sub­clauses] (b) and (c) the borrowing of money 9* * * for the 
purpose of the business of the Bank, and the giving of security for money so 
borrowed; 
 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1966 (23 of 1966), s. 2. 
2Omitted and ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 18. 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1980 (57 of 1980), s. 3. 
4Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
5Subs by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and Sch. II. 
6Omitted and added by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1969 (11 of 1969), s. 2. 
7Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1966 (23 of 1966), s. 2. 
8Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1968 (1 of 1968), s. 2, for “clause”. 
9Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1975 (26 of 1975), s. 2. 
 
Page 22 of 37 
 
(b)  No money shall be borrowed under this sub-section from any person in Pakistan 
other than a scheduled bank or from any person outside Pakistan other than a 
bank which is the principal currency authority of any country under the law for 
the time being in force in that country ; 
 
(c)  The total amount of borrowings from persons in Pakistan shall not at any time 
exceed the amount of the share capital of the Bank ; 
 
(17) The making and issue of bank notes subject to the provisions of this Act ; 
 
1[(18) The exercise of powers and the performance of functions and duties entrusted to the 
Bank by or under this Act or any other law for the time being inforce;] 
 
2[(18A) The entering into clearing and payments arrangements with any country or group of 
countries, on a general or regional or sub­regional basis, participation in the formation and settlement 
of international payments transactions under such arrangements, and incurring financial and other 
obligations relating thereto;] 
 
3[(19) * * * * * * *] 
 
3[(19A) * * * * * * *] 
 
(20) Generally, the doing of all such matters and things as may be necessary, incidental to or 
consequential upon the exercise of its powers or the discharge of its duties or functions under this Act. 
 
17A. 3[* * * * * * *] 
17B. 3[* * * * * * *] 
17C. 3[* * * * * * *] 
17D. 3[* * * * * * *] 
17E. 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
4[17F. Contributions and donations by the Bank. Notwithstanding anything contained in this 
Act any other law for the time being in force, the Bank may contribute or donate funds to a body 
corporate in Pakistan for the study or promotion of, or research in, banking, economics and allied 
subjects]. 
 
5[17G. Lender of last resort.⸺(l) Where the circumstances so warrant and a scheduled bank 
approaches the Bank for a financial facility to improve its liquidity and where the scheduled bank in 
the opinion of the Bank is solvent and can provide adequate collateral to support the financial facility, 
the Bank may provide short -term financial facility in accordance with the regulations made by the 
Bank in relation thereto, notwithstanding the provisions of sub-sections (2), (3) and (3A) of section 20.  
 
(2) Where in the opinion of the Bank, the aforesaid financial facility to a scheduled bank is 
necessary to preserve the stability of the financial system and where the bank does not fulfill the 
requirements specified under sub-section (1) of this section, the Bank may, provided that it determined 
the scheduled bank is viable in the medium term, provide such financial facility  on  such  terms  and  
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan Ordinance, 1981 (16 of 1981), s. 2 
2Added by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1973 (47 of 1973), s. 2 
3Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), ss. 18-19. 
4Ins. and shall be deemed always to have been so ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1981 (16 of 1981), s. 3 
5Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 20 
 
Page 23 of 37 
 
conditions as the Bank specifies, provided that a written irrevocable guarantee of the Federal 
Government is received in favour of the Bank, securing the repayment of the facility, notwithstanding 
the provisions of sub-section (2), (3) and (3A) of section 20. 
 
(3) For the purposes of this section, a financial facility shall not include participation in the 
capital of a scheduled bank: 
 
Provided that any outstanding holding by the Bank of equity or right to equity in any scheduled 
bank shall be liquidated within ten years from the commencement of the State Bank of Pakistan 
(Amendment) Act, 2021.] 
 
1[17H. Regulatory powers.—(1) The Bank shall have power to issue such directives, 
instructions and regulations in whatsoever form as may be necessary for carrying out the functions of 
the Bank under this Act or any other law and shall be binding and enforceable. 
 
(2) The Bank may take any enforcement action including imposition and collection of 
pecuniary penalties upon legal and natural persons for contravention of this Act, any law being 
administered by the Bank and exercise of any power under sub­section (1).] 
 
2[18. open market and credit operations.⸺3[(l) The Bank may operate in the financial 
markets by⸺  
 
(a)  buying and selling outright (spot or forward) and conducting repurchase 
agreements of Government securities purchased in the secondary market; 
 
(b)  swap or lending operations in foreign currencies; 
 
(c)  lending or borrowing claims and marketable instruments and precious metals; 
 
(d)  conducting, without prejudices to section 17G, credit operations with banks 
operating in Pakistan, with lending based on adequate collateral; and 
 
(e)  other means as may be deemed expedient for the conduct of open market 
operations: 
 
Provided that the existing Government securities purchased on the primary market and in the 
books of the Bank on commencement of the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2021, may be 
sold or used for repurchase agreements for the purpose of open market operations.] 
 
(2) The Central 4[Monetary Policy Committee] shall determine the types of instruments and 
activities and other operational methods of monetary control including Shariah based instruments to 
be used for open market and credit operations and it shall announce the conditions under which the 
Bank stands ready to either into such transactions. 
 
(3) For the purpose of regulating the monetary and credit system the Bank may issue certificates 
of deposit and new instruments including those that are Shariah­complaint.] 
 
1Ins. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 19 
2Subs. by Act IX of 2012, s. 5. 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 21 
4Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 20 
 
 
Page 24 of 37 
 
1[19. Declaration of approved foreign exchange.—The Board may declare the currency of 
any country or any monetary unit of account to be approved foreign exchange for all or any of the 
purpose of this Act.] 
 
20. Business which the Bank may not transact. The Bank shall not, except as authorised 
under this Act— 
 
(1) engage in trade or otherwise have a direct interest in any commercial, industrial or other 
undertaking except such interest as it may in any way acquire in the course of the satisfaction of any 
of its claims, but all such interest shall be disposed of at the earliest possible moment ; 
 
(2) purchase its own shares or the shares of any other bank or of any company, or grant 
advances or loans upon the security of any such shares ; 
 
2[(3) advance money on the mortgage, or otherwise on the security, of immovable property or 
documents of title relating thereto, except where such advance is made to any of its officers or servants 
for building a house for his personal use against the security of the said house ; 
 
(3A) become the owner of any immovable property except where ownership is necessary for 
the use of such property by the Bank, or 3[for the purpose of use for shariah complaint instruments] 
for the residence, recreation or welfare of its officers or servants;] 
 
(4) make unsecured advances and loans; 
 
(5) draw or accept bills payable otherwise than on demand ; and 
 
4[(5A) undertake any quasi-fiscal operations or development finance activities.] 
 
5[*  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
21. Government business.—(1) The Bank shall undertake to accept monies for account of the 
6[Federal Government and Provincial Governments] and to make payments up to the amount standing 
to the credit of their accounts respectively and to carry out their exchange, remittance and other banking 
operations, including the management of public debt. 
 
(2)  
(a)  The 7[Federal Government] and Provincial Governments shall entrust the Bank, 
on such conditions as may be agreed upon between the Government concerned 
and the Bank, with all their money, remittance, and banking transactions in 
Pakistan, and, in particular, shall deposit free of interest all their cash balances 
with the Bank. 
 
(b)  Nothing in this sub­section shall be deemed to prevent the 7[Federal 
Government] and any Provincial Government from carrying on money 
transactions, at places where the Bank has no office, branch or agency or from 
holding at such places such balances as they may require. 
 
1Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 21 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1963 (17 of 1963), s. 3, for the original clause (3). 
3Ins. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 22. 
4Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 22. 
5Sub. Section (6) Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1994 (2 of 1994), s. 9, which was previously subs. by Ord. No. 57 of 
1980 s. 4, for the original sub­section (6). 
6Subs. by the Federal Laws (Revision and Declaration) Ordinance, 1981 (27 of 1981), s. 3 and II Sch., for certain words 
7Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
 
 
 
Page 25 of 37 
 
(c)  The 1[Federal Government] and each Provincial Government shall entrust the 
Bank, on such conditions as may be agreed upon between the Government 
concerned and the Bank, with the management of the public debt and with the 
issue of any new loans. 
 
(d)  In the event of any failure to reach agreement on the conditions referred to in 
this section, the 1[Federal Government] shall decide the conditions and its 
decision shall be final. 
 
2[22. Service Charges.—(1) The Bank shall make public from time to time the standard service 
charges at which it is prepared to provide financial accommodation to the borrowing entities. 
 
(2) In respect of finance provided by the Bank it may determine, from time to time, the terms 
and conditions either generally or specially.] 
 
3[23. International reserves portfolio.—(1) The Bank may directly or indirectly purchase, 
hold and sell currencies, financial and capital instruments, including indices and derivatives, issued by 
governments, agencies, local authorities, corporate and supranational in countries, wherever issued, 
whose currency has been declared as approved foreign exchange and the remaining effective maturity 
of which is determined to be of not more than thirty years at the time of purchase: 
 
Provided that the restrictions relating to maturity shall not apply to securities held by the Bank 
on the date on which this Act comes into force or any securities that may be received as assets under 
the Pakistan (Monetary System and Reserve Bank) Order, 1947. The permissibility of each of asset 
class shall be determined by the 4[Board]. 
 
(2) The Bank may appoint managers, custodians, consultants and any other professional 
advisors for the effective management of foreign exchange reserves of the country.] 
 
24. Sole right to issue bank notes.—(1) The Bank shall have the sole right to issue bank notes 
made payable to bearer on demand in Pakistan in accordance with the provisions hereinafter made, 
provided that the currency notes of the Government of Pakistan supplied to the Bank by the 
Government may be issued by it for a period which shall be fixed by the 1[Federal Government] on the 
recommendations of the 4[Board]. 
 
(2) Any person contravening this authority or committing any other offence specified in section 
35, shall be liable to the penalties therein mentioned. 
 
25. Legal tender. —(1) Subject to the provisions of sub­section (2) every bank note shall be 
legal tender at any place in Pakistan for the amount expressed therein and shall be guaranteed by the 
1[Federal Government]. 
 
5[(2) On the recommendation of the 4[Board] the Federal Government may, by notification in 
the official Gazette, declare that, with effect from such date as may be specified in the notification, any 
series of Bank Notes of any denominations shall cease to be legal tender and exchangeable: 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
2Subs. by Ord. 110 of 02, s. 5 
3Subs. by Act IX of 2012, s. 6 
4Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 2 
5Subs. and shall be deemed always to have been so Subs. by Act 23 of 1972, s. 5 
 
Page 26 of 37 
 
Provided that any Note of such series may, within such period after the date so specified as the 
Federal Government may, by a like notification, appoint in this behalf, be tendered for exchange at 
such offices, branches and agencies, if any, of the Bank as may be specified for the purpose, and any 
such office, branch or agency shall exchange the note.] 
 
26. Issue Department.—(1) the issue of bank notes shall be conducted by the Bank in an Issue 
Department which shall be separated and kept wholly distinct from the Banking Department and the 
assets of the Issue Department shall not be subject to any liability other than the liabilities of the Issue 
Department as hereinafter defined in section 32. 
 
(2) The Issue Department shall not issue bank notes to the Banking Department or to any person 
except in exchange for other bank notes or for such coin, bullion, 1[special drawing rights held with 
the International Monetary Fund,] approved foreign exchange or securities as are permitted under this 
Act to form part of the assets of the Issue Department. 
 
27. Denominations and form of bank notes. Bank notes made and issued by the Bank shall 
be in such denominations and of such design, form and material as may be approved by the 2[Federal 
Government] on the recommendations of the 4[Board]. 
 
28. Reissue of notes. The Bank shall not re‑issue bank notes which are torn, defaced or 
excessively soiled. 
 
29. Lost, stolen, mutilated or imperfect notes. Notwithstanding anything contained in any 
enactment or rule of law to the contrary, no person shall as of right be entitled to recover from the 
2[Federal Government] or the Bank the value of any lost, stolen, mutilated or imperfect bank note. 
 
30. Assets of the Issue Department.—(1) The assets of the Issue Department shall not be less 
than the total of its liabilities and shall be maintained as follows :― 
 
3[(a)  of the total amount of the assets, assets of such value 4[Board may], specify shall 
be held in gold coins, gold bullion, silver bullion 1[special drawing rights held 
with the International Monetary Fund,] or approved foreign exchange; and] 
 
5[(b)  the reminder of the assets shall be held in 
 
(i)  rupee coins; 
 
(ii)  rupee securities of any maturity; 
 
(iii)  such bills of exchange and promissory notes payable in Pakistan as are 
eligible for purchase by the Bank under 1[sub­clause] (a), (b) and (d) of 
1[clause] (2) of section 17; 
 
 
1Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1969 (11 of 1969). Ss. 3 and 4. 
2Subs. by State Bank of Pakistan, (Amdt.) Act, 1972 s. 6. for “Central Government”. 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (52 of 1965), s. 2, for the original clause (a). 
4Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, ss. 2 and 23 
5Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1966 (23 of 1966), s. 3 
6Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1968 (1 of 1968), s. 6 
 
 
 
Page 27 of 37 
 
(iv)  promissory notes obtained by the Bank in respect of advances and loans 
made under 1[clause] (4) of section 17 against such securities as are 
mentioned in 1[sub­clauses] (a) and (b) of that 1[clause]; and 
 
(v)  promissory notes obtained by the Bank in respect of advances and loans 
made under 1[clause] (6) of section 17:] 
 
Provided that the assets falling to the share of the Government of Pakistan under the provision 
of Pakistan (Monetary System and Reserve Bank) Order, 1947 which are held by the Reserve Bank of 
India pending their physical transfer to the Bank shall form a part of the assets. 
 
(2) For the purposes of this section, gold coin and gold bullion shall be valued at 2[the market 
value of the fine gold content thereof] silver bullion shall be valued at the market value of the fine 
silver content thereof, rupee coin shall be valued at its face value and rupee securities and securities 
specified in sub-section (4) shall be valued at the market rate for the time being obtaining. 
 
(3) Of the gold coin and gold or silver bullion held as assets not less than seventeen‑twentieth 
shall be held in the custody of the Bank including its branches, offices or agencies, and the gold or 
silver belonging to the Bank which is in any other bank or in any mint or treasury or in transit may be 
reckoned as part of the assets. 
 
3[(4) For the purposes of this section, the approved foreign exchange which may be held as part 
of the assets shall be in any of the following forms, namely : 
 
(a)  balances standing to the credit of the Bank with the principal currency authority 
of a country whose currency is an approved foreign exchange, or at any bank in 
such country; 
 
(b)  bills of exchange bearing two or more good signatures, having a maturity not 
exceeding one hundred and eighty days and drawn on and payable at any place 
in a country whose currency is an approved foreign exchange ; and 
 
(c)  securities of a Government with an unexpired currency of not more than five 
years and payable in a currency which is an approved foreign exchange.] 
 
31. Suspension of assets requirements. Notwithstanding anything contained in the foregoing 
provisions, the Bank may, with the previous sanction of the 4[Board], for periods not exceeding thirty 
days in the first instance, which may with the like sanction be extended from time to time by periods 
not exceeding fifteen days, hold as assets gold coin, gold or silver bullion, 5[special drawing rights held 
with the International Monetary Fund,] or approved foreign exchange of less aggregate amount than 
that required by paragraph (a) of sub­section (1) of section 30. 
 
32. Liabilities of the Issue Department.—(1) The liabilities of the Issue Department shall be 
an amount equal to the total of the amount of the bank notes for the time being in circulation. 
 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1968 (1 of 1968), s. 6 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1977 (38 of 1977), s. 2 (w.e.f. 7­5­78). 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1965 (52 of 1965), s. 2, for the original sub­section (4). 
4Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, s. 24 
5Ins. and shall be deemed to have been so ins. by Ord. 38 of 1977, s. 3, (w.e.f. 10­5­1969). 
 
Page 28 of 37 
 
(2) For the purposes of this section any bank note which has not been presented for payment 
within forty years from the first day of July following the date of its issue shall be deemed not to be in 
circulation and the value thereof shall notwithstanding anything contained in subsection (2) of section 
26 be paid by the Issue Department to the Banking Department; but any such bank note, if subsequently 
presented for payment, shall be paid by the Banking Department. 
 
33. Obligation to supply different forms of currency.—(1) The Bank shall issue rupee coin 
on demand in exchange for bank notes and bank notes on demand in exchange for coin which is legal 
tender under the Pakistan Coinage Act (III of 1906). 
 
(2) The Bank shall in exchange for bank notes of five rupees or upwards supply bank notes of 
lower value or coins which are legal tender under the said Pakistan Coinage Act, in such quantities as 
may in the opinion of the Bank be required for circulation. The 1[Federal Government] shall supply 
such coins to the Bank on demand and if it fails to do so at any time the Bank shall be released during 
the period of such failure from its obligation to supply them to the public. 
 
(3) The 1[Federal Government] shall take over from the Bank at such time and in such quantities 
as the Bank may, with the previous approval of the 1[Federal Government], determine rupee coins 
which are not required for purposes of circulation against payment. 
 
34. Obligation of the 1[Federal Government] in respect of rupee coin. The 1[Federal 
Government] shall not reissue any rupee coins taken over under subsection (3) of section 33 nor put 
into circulation any rupee coin except through the Bank and the Bank shall not dispose of rupee coin 
otherwise than for purposes of circulation or by delivery to the 1[Federal Government] under the 
preceding section. 
 
35. Offences and penalties relating to unauthorized issue of bills and bank notes.—(1) No 
person in Pakistan other than the Bank or as expressly authorised by this Act, the 1[Federal 
Government] shall draw, accept, make or issue any bill of exchange, hundi, promissory note or 
engagement for the payment of money payable to bearer on demand, or borrow, owe or take up any 
sum or sums of money on the bill, hundis or notes payable to bearer on demand of any such person, 
but such cheques, or drafts, including hundi, payable to bearer on demand or otherwise may be drawn 
on a person’s account with a banker, shroff or agent. 
 
(2) Notwithstanding anything contained in the Negotiable Instruments Act, 1881, no person in 
Pakistan other than the Bank, or as expressly authorised by this Act, the 1[Federal Government] shall 
make or issue any promissory note expressed to be payable to the bearer of the instrument. 
 
(3) Any person contravening the provision of this section shall be punishable upon conviction 
with fine which may extend to double the amount of the bill, hundi, promissory note or engagement in 
respect whereof the offence is committed. 
 
(4) No prosecution under this section shall be instituted except on complaint made on behalf of 
the Bank. 
 
2[36. Minimum reserves.—(1) The Bank may require banks or financial institutions to hold 
minimum reserves on deposit accounts with the Bank in pursuance of its monetary policy objectives. 
 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
2Subs. by Act IX of 2012, s. 6 
 
Page 29 of 37 
 
(2) The Bank may require the banks and financial institutions to hold special reserves on deposit 
accounts with the Bank in pursuance of its monetary policy or risk management of banking or financial 
sector and may provide for any remuneration or return on such special reserves. 
 
(3) The Bank shall, by regulations, establish the method for calculating the minimum reserves 
required to be maintained under sub­section (2).] 
 
37. Scheduled banks.—(1) The Bank shall maintain at all its offices and branches an 
up‑to‑date list of banks declared by it to be scheduled banks under clause (a) of subsection (2). 
 
(2) The Bank shall, by notification, in the official Gazette― 
 
(a)  declare any bank to be scheduled bank which is carrying on the business of 
banking in Pakistan and which― 
 
(i)  is a banking company as defined in section 277F of the Companies Act, 
1913, or a cooperative bank, or a corporation or a company incorporated 
by or established under any law in force in any place in or outside 
Pakistan ; 
 
(ii)  has a paid‑up capital and reserves of an aggregate value of not less than 
five lakhs of rupees: 
 
Provided that in the case of a co‑operative bank, an exception may be 
made by the Bank ; 
 
(iii)  satisfies the Bank that its affairs are not being conducted in a manner 
detrimental to the interests of its depositors ; 
 
1[(b)  direct the descheduling of any scheduled bank which ceases to fulfil the 
requirements mentioned in clause (a) or goes into liquidation or otherwise 
wholly or partly ceases to carry on banking business: 
 
Provided that the Bank may, on application of the scheduled bank concerned 
and subject to such conditions, if any, as it may impose, defer the making of a 
direction under clause (b) for such period as the Bank considers reasonable to 
give the scheduled bank an opportunity of fulfilling the requirements mentioned 
in sub‑clauses (ii) and (iii) of clause (a) ; 
 
(c)  alter the description in the list of scheduled banks whenever any scheduled bank 
changes its name. 
 
Explanation.—In subsection (2) the expression “value” means the real or exchangeable 
and not the nominal value of the capital and reserves and the valuation made by the 
Bank shall be final. 
 
 
1For notifins. Under this clause, see Gaz. of P., 1956, Pt. V, p. 275, and ibid., 1957, Pt. V, p. 32. 
 
 
 
 
Page 30 of 37 
 
38. Power to require returns from Corporations. The Bank may require any Corporation 
with which it has any transactions under section 17 to furnish returns 1[referred to in] sub­section (3) 
of section 36, and if it does so require, the provisions of subsections (6), (7) and (8) of section 36 shall 
apply, so far as may be, to such Corporation as if it were a scheduled bank. 
 
2[39. Accountability.⸺(1) The Governor shall submit annual report before the Majl is-e-
Shoora (Parliament) regarding the achievement of the Bank’s objectives, conduct of monetary policy, 
state of the economy and the financial system. ln addition, the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) may 
require any senior official, including the Governor where appropriate, to attend at such additional times 
as may be required. 
 
(2) The Bank shall, not less than twice a year, publish and submit to the Ma jlis-e-Shoora 
(Parliament) and the Minister for Finance a state of the economy report with reference to price 
development, money supply, credit, balance-of-payments and economic growth. 
 
(3) The bank shall, at minimum annual basis, publish a report on financial stability that provides 
the overall assessment of the financial system.] 
 
2[40. Annual financial statements and reports .⸺(1) The financial year of the Bank shall 
begin on the first day of July of a calendar year and end on the last day of June of th e next calendar 
year. 
 
(2) The Bank shall formulate accounting policies and procedures and prepare financial 
statements in line with internationally recognized accounting standards as adapted by the Board in light 
of the special nature of central bank operations. 
 
(3) Within four months after the close of each of its financial year, the Bank shall publish on 
its website and submit to the Federal Government and the Majlis-e-Shoora (Parliament) financial 
statements, approved by the Board, signed by th e Governor, the Deputy Governor and the chief 
financial officer, along with the auditors’ report thereon. 
 
(4) The Bank shall prepare and publish, within five days of the close of the week, on its official 
website weekly accounts pursuant to a proforma approved by the Board.] 
 
____________ 
CHAPTER V 
 
GENERAL 
2[41. General reserve, unrealized revaluation reserve and special reserve.⸺(1) The Bank, 
with the approval of the Board, shall establish and maintain a general reserve account. The general 
reserve account may not be used except for the purposes of increasing the paid-up capital or of covering 
losses sustained by the Bank. 
 
(2) The Bank shall establish unrealized revaluation reserves accounts to account for unrealized 
gains and losses arising on its exposure in gold, financial instruments or other assets and liabilities on 
which such unrealized gains or losses are not required to be taken to the profit and loss account under 
the accounting standards followed by the Bank. 
 
 
1Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.), Ordinance, 1971 (23 of 1971), s. 10 for “prescribed under”. 
2Ss. 39, 40 and 41 subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), ss. 23, 24 and 25 
 
Page 31 of 37 
 
(3) The Bank, with the approval of the Board, shall also make allocation to the unrealized 
revaluation reserve from the net annual profit, representing the unrealized gain on its exposures in 
foreign currencies, financial instruments, other assets and liabilities on which unrealized gains or losses 
are taken to the profit and loss account in accordance with the accounting standards followed by the 
Bank. 
 
(4) The Bank with the approval of the Board may establish special reserve accounts for any of 
its specific exposures.] 
 
1[42. Profits, losses, and distributable earnings .⸺(1) The annual distributable profit for a 
year shall be determined as follows:— 
 
A=B+C-D 
Where 
A = Distributable profit; 
B = Net annual profit of the Bank as reflected in the audited financial statements; 
C = amount of unrealized gains transferred to unrealized revaluation reserve account in 
previous one or more years that realized during the year; and 
D = amount of unrealized gains included in ‘B’. 
 
(2) The Bank shall allocate the distributable profit as follows:⸺ 
 
(a)  an amount equivalent to twenty percent of distributable profit shall be credited 
to the general reserve account until the sum of  the capital and general reserves 
equal eight percent of the total monetary liabilities of the Bank; 
 
(b)  as may be determined by the Board, following a consultation with t he Bank’s 
external auditors, from time to time shall be transferred to the special reserve 
accounts created for any of its specific, identified liability, contingency or 
expected diminution in the value of its assets; and 
(c)  after accounting for the amounts as aforesaid, any remaining amount of the 
distributable profit shall be transferred to the Federal Government within thirty 
days after making the financial statements public. 
 
(3) Following the initial attainment of  the eight percent level, in case the sum of  the Bank’s 
capital and general reserves falls below such required level  of monetary liabilities, the Bank shall 
allocate all the distributable profit to the Bank’s capital and general reserves until the required level is 
re-established. 
 
(4) If in any financial year the Bank incurs a net loss, this loss shall first be char ged to the 
general reserve account and subsequently applied against the paid-up capital. 
 
(5) No distribution shall be made out of current income of the Bank except as permitted by sub-
section (2).] 
 
 
 
1S. 42 subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 26. 
 
 
Page 32 of 37 
 
 
 
1[43. External Audit.⸺(1) The accounts, records and financial statement s of the bank shall, 
once a year, be audited in accordance with the international standards on auditing, by two independent 
external auditors who shall be of good repute and have international experience in the auditing of major 
international financial institutions or central banks or have affiliations with audit firms that have such 
experience. 
 
(2) The Board, on the recommendation of the audit committee, shall appoint the external 
auditors for a period of five years and they shall not be eligible for reappointment at that time. 
 
(3) The Board may, on the recommendation of the audit committee, terminate the contract of 
the Bank’s external auditors for good cause. 
 
(4) The external auditor shall report to the audit committee and the Board on key matters arising 
from the audit and in particular on material weaknesses in internal controls relating to the financial 
reporting process. 
 
(5) The external auditors shall have full power to examine all books and accounts of the Bank 
and obtain all information about its transactions.] 
 
1[44. Auditor General of Pakistan.⸺The Auditor-General of Pakistan may, without prejudice 
to the autonomy of the Bank and the audits conducted by the external auditor pursuant to section 43, 
conduct audit of the accounts of th e Bank. Such audit shall not have concern with the merits of the 
policy decisions including implementation thereof by the Bank.] 
 
1[45. Audit committee.⸺(1) The Board shall constitute an audit committee and d efine its 
composition, responsibilities, duties and terms of reference. 
 
(2) The audit committee shall consist of three or more non-executive Board members, with at 
least one having extensive experience in the field of accounting, auditing or internal controls. The audit 
committee may co-opt external experts without the right to vote. The criteria provided in sub section 
(5) of section 9 shall apply to the appointment of the external expert who shall not have been a member 
of the Board or staff in the three calendar years preceding his appointment as member of the audit 
committee. 
 
(3) The audit committee’s responsibilities shall be enshrined in the audit committee’s terms of 
reference approved by the Board, which shall include, inter alia,⸺ 
 
(a)  overseeing the internal audit function; 
 
(b)  approving the charter of the internal audit function; 
 
(c)  recommending the appoint ment of external auditors, and their  scope of work; 
and 
 
(d)  evaluating the effectiveness of the internal control systems.] 
 
 
1Ss. 43 to 45 subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), ss. 27-29. 
 
Page 33 of 37 
 
1[45A. Chief internal auditor.⸺(1) There shall be a chief internal auditor as an employee of 
the Bank who shall be designated and removed by the Board on recommendation of the audit 
committee from amongst the persons having extensive professional experience in the field of 
accounting or audit. 
 
(2) The Board shall define the criteria and terms and conditions for the appointment and 
removal of the chief internal auditor.] 
 
46. The Bank and its officers to be public officers.—(1) For the purposes of section 124 of 
the Evidence Act, 1872, the provisions of Part IV of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, and the 
provisions of rule 27 of Order V, and rule 52 of Order XXI of the said Code, the Bank and any 2[person 
in the service] of the Bank acting in his capacity as such shall be deemed to be a public officer. 
 
(2) The provisions of section 123 of the Evidence Act shall apply to the unpublished records 
3* * * of the Bank and the Governor shall be deemed to be the officer or head of the department 
concerned. 
 
4[(3) Every 2[person in the service] of the Bank] shall be deemed to be a public servant within 
the meaning of section 21 of the Pakistan Penal Code (XLV of 1860).] 
 
5[46A. Production of unpublished record of Bank, etc.—(1) No court, tribunal or other 
authority shall be entitled to compel the Bank or any person in the service of the Bank to produce, or, 
as the case may be, give any evidence derived from, any unpublished record of the Bank. 
 
(2) No court, tribunal or other authority shall permit anyone to produce or give evidence derived 
from, any unpublished record of the Bank, except with the prior permission in writing of the Governor 
who may give or whithhold such permission as he thinks fit. 
 
(3) Notwithstanding anything contained in this Act or any other law for the time being in force, 
a report prepared by the Bank on a banking company under section 40 of the Banking Companies 
Ordinance, 1962(LVII of 1962) shall be deemed to be unpublished for the purposes of sub­section (1) 
and (2) even if a copy of such report has been supplied to the banking company to which the report 
pertains or to the Federal Government or to the Pakistan Banking Council constituted under section 9 
of the Banks (Nationalization) Act, 1974 (XIX of 1974).] 
 
6[46B. Functional and institutional autonomy .⸺The Bank shall be autonomous in the 
pursuit of its objectives and in the performance of its powers pursuant to this Act. 
 
(2) Nothing in this Act, nor in any other law for the time being in force, shall be construed to 
allow any third party, including the Government or quasi -government entities, to approve, suspend, 
annul or interfere with the management of the Bank, as well as the rights, duties and obligations of the 
Bank and of the members of its Board, the Executive Committee, the Monetary Policy Committee or 
the staff of the Bank in the performance of their functions pursuant to this Act. 
 
(3) No Governmental or quasi-Governmental body or agency shall issue any directive, directly 
or indirectly, to any banking company or any other financial institut ion regulated by the Bank which 
is inconsistent with the policies, regulations and directives issued by the Bank pursuant to or in exercise 
of its powers under this Act or any other law for the time being in force. 
 
1Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 30. 
2Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1981 (16 of 1981), s. 6, for “Officer”. 
3Omitted by the State Bank of Pakistan Amdt. Ordinance, 1981 (16 of 1981), s. 6 
4Added by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Ordinance, 1971 (23 of 1971), s. 12. 
5Ins. and shall be deemed always to have been so Ins. by Ordinance, 16 of 1981, s. 7 
6Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 31.  
 
Page 34 of 37 
 
(4) The Bank, the members of its decision-making bodies and its staff shall neither request, nor 
take any instructions from any other person or entity, including Government or quasi -government 
entities. The autonomy of the Bank shall be respected at all times and no person or entity shall seek to 
influence the members of the Board, Executive Committee, Monetary Policy Committee, or the staff 
of the Bank in the performance of their functions. 
 
(5) Without prejudice to the responsibility of the Minister of Fi nance and the powers of the 
Government as provided for in this Act or any other law the Bank shall directly submit the information 
and reports envisaged in section 39 to the concerned Standing Committee of  the Parliament and the 
Government. The Bank shall interact and communicate d irectly with any third persons, in cluding 
Government or quasi-government agencies, schedules banks and other regulated entities, in pursuit of 
its objectives. 
 
(6) The Bank, with the approval of the Federal Government, may enter i nto an agreement or 
Memorandum of Understanding or any reciprocal arrangement, with any domestic or foreign 
regulatory or supervisory authority for the purpose of sharing and obtaining public and nonpublic 
confidential information notwithstanding the provisions of any other law for the time being in force. 
 
(7) All matters relating to the Bank requiring approval of  the Federal Government, Prime 
Minister or President shall be initiated by the Division allocated with the business of this Act on a 
reference received from the Bank or on its own initiative following written consultation with the Bank. 
Any reference so received from the Bank will be submitted in its original form to the competent 
authority for its decision within four weeks. 
 
(8) The Bank shall be consulted prior to the introduction of any Bill by the Federal Government 
in the Parliament which may having a bearing on the functions of the Bank.] 
 
47. Pensions of Bank employees to be exempt from attachments etc. Notwithstanding 
anything contained in any law for the time being in force pension 1[gratuity and provident fund] granted 
by the Bank to its officers and servants shall not be liable to seizure, attachment or sequestration by 
process of any court in Pakistan at the instance of a creditor, for any demand against the pensioner or 
in satisfaction of a decree or order of any such court. 
 
48. Exemption from stamp duty. The Bank 2[and any subsidiary or trust established by it] 
shall not be liable to the payment of any stamp duty under Stamp Act, 1899. 
 
2[49. Exemption from taxes. Notwithstanding anything in the Wealth Tax Act, 1963 (XV of 
1963), and Income Tax Ordinance, 1979 (XXXI of 1979), or any other law for the time being in force 
relating to wealth tax, income tax or super tax the Bank and any subsidiary, or trust, established by it 
shall not be liable to pay wealth tax, income tax or super tax on their income or wealth.] 
 
50. Liquidation of the Bank. The Bank shall not be placed in liquidation save by order of the 
3[Federal Government] and in such manner and on such terms and conditions as it may direct. 
 
51. Act or proceeding of the 4[Board] not to be questioned . No act or proceeding of the 
Central Board 4[or the Monetary Policy Committee] shall be questioned on the  ground merely of the 
existence of any vacancy in or any defect in the constitution of such Board. 
 
1 [52. *  *  *  *  *  *  *] 
 
1Ins. Omitted by Act IX of 2012, ss. 9&10. 
2Ins. subs. by Ord. 9­7­2001, ss. 3­4. 
3Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1972 (23 of 1972), s. 6, for “Central Government”. 
4Subs. by Act XVIII of 2015, ss. 2 & 29 
 
Page 35 of 37 
 
1[52A. Protection of action taken in good faith and indemnity.⸺(1) No suit, prosecution or 
any other legal proceedin g including for damages shall lie against the Bank, Board of Directors or 
member thereof, Governor, Deputy Governors, member of any Board committee and Monetary Policy 
Committee, officers and employees of the Bank for any act of commission or omission done in exercise 
or performance of any functions, power or duty conferred or imposed by or under this Act upon such 
persons or any rules and regulations made thereunder or any legislation administered by the Bank, or 
rules and regulations made thereunder, unless such act of commission or omission is undertaken in bad 
faith and with malafide intent. 
 
(2) The Governor, Deputy Governors, Directors, members of any Board committee and 
Monetary Policy Committee, officers and employees of the Bank shall not be liable in their personal 
capacity for any act of commission or omission undertaken in their official capacity in good faith. ln 
case of any such proceedings as mentioned in sub -section (1), they shall be indemnified by the Bank 
which shall bear all the expenses thereof, unless an act or omission has been subsequently determined 
to have been undertaken in bad faith and with malafide intent.] 
 
53. Duty of officers and servants to maintain secrecy.—(1) Except in the performance of his 
duties under this Act every officer or servant of the Bank shall preserve and aid in preserving secrecy 
with regard to all matters relating to the affairs of the Bank not published by it, and with regard to all 
matters relating to the financial or monetary affairs of any institution, person, body of persons, any 
Government or authority whether in Pakistan or outside that may come to his knowledge in the 
performance of his duties. 
 
(2) Every such officer or servant who communicates any such matter, except when required by 
law to do so or in the discharge of his duty as such, shall be guilty of an offence and shall on conviction 
by a court of competent jurisdiction be punished with imprisonment of either description for a term 
which may extend to six months or with fine which may extend to Rs. 500 or with both. 
 
(3) No court shall take cognizance of any offence punishable under this section except upon 
complaint in writing by a person authorised in this behalf by the Governor. 
 
54. Powers of the 3[Board] to make Regulations.⸺(1) 2[*******] 
 
(2) 2[The Board of Directors may make regulations consistent with this Act and falling under 
the Board’s domain, in particular to provide for any of the following matters], namely: 
 
(a) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(b) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(c) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(d) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(e) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(f) 2[* * * * * * *] 
 
(g) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(h) 2[* * * * * * *] 
 
(i) 2[* * * * * * *] 
_________________________________________________________________________________ 
1Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 32. 
2Omitted and subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 33. 
3Omitted. by Act XVIII of 2015, ss. 2 & 30. 
 
Page 36 of 37 
 
(j)  recruitment of officers and servants of the Bank including the terms and 
conditions of their service 1[performance management, promotion, 
compensation, rotation,]  constitution of superannuation, beneficial and other 
funds, with or without bank’s contribution, for the officers and servants of the 
Bank ; their welfare, providing amenities, medical facilities, grant of loans and 
advances ; their betterment and uplift ; 
 
(k)  the manner and form in which contracts binding on the Bank may be executed; 
 
(l)  the provision of an official seal of the Bank and the manner and effects of its 
use ; 
 
(m) the manner and form in which the balance sheet of the Bank shall be drawn up, 
and in which the accounts shall be maintained ; 
   
(n)  1[* * * * * * *] 
 
(o)  the relations of the scheduled banks with the Bank and the returns to be 
submitted by the scheduled banks to the Bank ; 
 
(p) 1[* * * * * * *] 
 
(q)  the circumstances in which, and the conditions and limitations subject to which, 
the value of any lost, stolen, mutilated or imperfect bank note may be refunded 
as of grace; 
 
(r)  the denomination, form, issue, negotiability, encashment and repatriation of the 
instruments mentioned in 2[clause] (8) of section 17 ; 
 
(s) 3[* * * * * * *] 
 
(t)  generally for making any provision necessary or convenient for the conduct of 
the business, discharge of functions and for purposes of management of the 
Bank. 
 
(3) Copies of all regulations made unde r this section shall be available to the public on 
1[request]. 
 
4[54A. Provisions to override other laws.—The Act shall have effect not withstanding 
anything contained in any other law 5[, general or special] for the time being in force or any agreement, 
contract, memorandum or articles of association. 
 
54B. Removal of difficulties.—If any difficulty arises in giving effect to any of the provisions 
of this Act the Federal Government may make such order as may appear to it to be necessary for the 
purpose of removing the difficulty.]. 
 
 
1Ins. omitted and Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 33 
2 Subs. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amdt.) Act, 1968 (1 of 1968), s. 8, for “sub­section”. 
3Omitted by Act XVIII of 2015, s.30. 
4Added by the State Bank of Pakistan (Second Amdt.) Ordinance, 1980 (57 of 1980), s. 8. 
5Ins. by the State Bank of Pakistan (Amendment) Act, 2022 (VI of 2022), s. 34. 
 
Page 37 of 37 
 
55. Repeal. — (1) The State Bank of Pakistan Ordinance, 1955 (XVIII of 1955), is hereby 
repealed. 
 
(2) Any rules or regulations made, order passed, notification issued, thing done, action taken 
or proceedings commenced under any of the provisions of the State Bank of Pakistan Ordinance, 1955 
(XVIII of 1955), or deemed to have been so made, passed, issued, done, taken or commenced, shall 
continue in force and be deemed to have been made, or as the case may be, passed, issued, done, taken 
or commenced under the corresponding provision of this Act. 
 
 
THE SCHEDULE 
 
1[* * * * * * *] 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
1Omitted by Act XVIII of 2015, s.31.