Exchange companies are reportedly making money while overcharging extra 4 to 5 % fee on conversion of old design US $100 note with new one or with Pakistan Rupees or any other currency.
This caused inconvenience, losses and additional cost of doing business to small traders especially importers, tour operators and a significant section of public.
These Exchange companies further advise the public that if they are not willing to pay 3 to 4 percent fee, they can take these dollars with them to Dubai or any other country where these dollars are acceptable as per market value but in Pakistan, they will have to pay an additional fee.
According to Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), it is constantly receiving many complaints nowadays from its members who are being offered 3 to 4 percent less exchange rate against the current market value in case they bear old-design notes
President of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) Shamim Ahmed Firpo has urged the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) to take strict action against Exchange Companies involved in this illegal practice.
Exchange Companies (ECs) reluctant convert the old-design US$100 notes and were charging 3 to 4 percent fee to exchange the old bills with the new ones or convert them into Pakistani rupee, which is highly unfair, totally illegal and sheer looting by the Exchange Companies, he said.
“When the old-design notes are acceptable all over the world then why ECs are reluctant to exchange the same in Pakistan”, he asked, adding that the Central Bank must to take action against the cartel of Exchange Companies, responsible for creating a strange situation and triggering anxiety amongst the public.
Shamim Firpo said that it has also come to our knowledge that moneychangers buy old-design notes at a cheaper price and manage to exchange the same in Dubai without incurring any cost and thus make a heavy profit.
He opined that both, old- and new-design dollar bills are legal tender and remain acceptable around the world whereas the new-design notes were not something new as these were introduced some five years back but the issue of old and new-design bills keeps resurfacing in Pakistan after intervals as a similar incident took place in January this year and now in August.
President KCCI said that moneychangers who charge 3 to 4 percent fee for exchanging each $100 bill accuse the banks while the banks usually deny these accusations. Therefore, the State Bank, being a well-organized, vigilant and an efficient regulator, has to thoroughly review the entire situation and take action against those responsible for causing loss to the masses.
“I urge Governor State Bank Tariq Bajwa to immediately initiate an enquiry and take strictest penal action against Exchange Companies. Your (Governor’s) prompt intervention into this issue will surely provide relief to the perturbed masses who fear that all their hard earned savings might be at stake as many Pakistanis like to keep their savings in banks’ lockers in the form of dollars”, he added.
Would SOB set penalty for such exchanger + make them pay 3, 4% money back to victims? NO
banks didn’t accept old design $ Bills so exchange companies did not accept from customers, if any bank accept these bills i dont think any exchange company deny any customer again or charge extra 4 to 5%
This is because of your banks not exchange companies…
Old $100 is acceptable by there mou boli Price without any Receipt. I got it in Rs.104 and yesterday @ Rs.103 :(
Problem is also with small notes, $20 is not acceptable if do they are at Rs.100 :(
Currency rates were 106.6