KARACHI, Aug 19: The State Bank of Pakistan has taken a notice of discrimination by banks in the grant of loans, like credit cards, car loans to certain groups of people and professionals.

“It has been brought to the SBP notice that banks and DFIs sometimes discriminate among customers, and occasionally turn down requests for credit cards, car loans or other consumer facilities merely on the basis of a specific profession, class and group of citizens (lawyers, politicians, security officials and law enforcement agencies, etc.),” said a circular issued by the SBP on Tuesday.

This is also contrary to an earlier advice of the Pakistan Banks’ Association to its members to desist from debarring customers on the basis of a specific occupation, trade, region, sex, ethnicity etc.

“Banks and DFIs are advised to discontinue such practices of discrimination on the basis of specific occupation, trade, region, sex, other similar reasons etc. and ensure compliance of these instructions in letter and spirit,” said the letter.The SBP further clarified that banks and DFIs may issue credit cards to members of their board of directors on normal terms and conditions.