KARACHI, July 1: The State Bank on Saturday extended the deadline for obtaining computerised national identity cards (CNIC) from customers and clients.

The new deadline for submission of attested copy of CNIC has been fixed as June 30, 2007, said a circular issued by the central bank.

The SBP said it had received a representation from the Pakistan Banks’ Association (PBA), indicating difficulties in meeting the extended deadline of June 30, 2006 for complying with the instructions issued by the SBP, by their member banks, with a request for further extension.

The matter had been considered at the State Bank and it had been decided to extend the date, said the circular.For customers or clients whose accounts are dormant and an attested copy of account-holder’s CNIC is not available in bank or DFI’s record, banks and DFIs will not allow operation in such accounts until the account-holder produces an attested copy of CNIC and fulfills all other formalities for activation of the account.

For all other bank clients and customers, including depositors and borrowers, banks and DFIs will obtain the attested copies of CNIC by June 30, 2007. Banks and DFIs will discontinue relationship with such customers who fail to submit the copy of CNIC by the above deadline.

Banks and DFIs were encouraged to carry on public campaign through print and electronic media individually as well as through the Pakistan Banks’ Association for creating public awareness on requirement of CNIC for banking purposes. They are also advised to confirm compliance with the subject instructions by the above extended timelines.