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KARACHI: People travelling to or from Pakistan can now carry Rs10,000 in cash after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the limit on Tuesday by more than three times.
In case of India, however, the ceiling has been increased to Rs3,000 from Rs500, the SBP said in a statement.
The new limits are particularly for Pakistani banknotes. A passenger can carry up to $10,000 or equivalent notes of another currency while going abroad, according to SBP’s foreign exchange rules.
The revisions will “cater to genuine needs of international travellers”, the SBP said. “The above revision has been undertaken to facilitate the travellers and considering increase in the cost of goods and services with the passage of time.” The previous permissible limits were Rs3,000 for all countries other than India and Rs500 for India.
The last notification in this regard was issued in 1992, SBP spokesman Abid Qamar told Dawn.
However, the limits are seldom enforced. “I have been travelling to and from Pakistan for more than 20 years. Sometimes I have more cash than the permissible limit. They [the authorities] have never once checked me,” a traveller said.
Published in Dawn, September 6th, 2017
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Comments (83) Closed
Sep 06, 2017 08:13am
Nobody wants to carry more Pak rupees anyway when one could carry up to ten thousand dollars while travelling abroad. As as expat, one empties the pockets every step of the way. Any leftover pocket change goes to the porters or other so-called helpers at the airport
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Sep 06, 2017 08:25am
Enforce the use of POS machines in all petrol pumps and CNG stations. Go digital.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:26am
10,000 Rs means 95 USD only. I think something wrong. Cannot be so less.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:35am
Less than one hundred dollars ....wow...even in pakistan i cannot buy much with 10000...
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Sep 06, 2017 08:36am
I fail to understand the logic. While there is a limit of 10.000 Rs on travel, the politicians (like the cases against Sharif) can send billions freely without hurdles.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:42am
Rs 10,000 is too less. I think the reporter is doing a mistake here.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:48am
It was enforced at Sialkot International airport and at Lahore airport my son was asked while travelling abroad. he had only seven thousand rupees in his possession and was allowed with reservation. I travel every month to Pakistan and when we reach there, we need taxi, Porter and sometimes food. We do not find a money changer at times. Moreover, when we change money at the airport, the exchange rate might be unfavourable and we lose a lot. EVen ten thousand is not much to cater for our immediate necessities.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:49am
State Bank Official must know the devaluation of Pak.currency. Rs.10,000 is like a peanut. Especially when.Dollar in International.market is 1 $ equal.to Rs
110. Rediculous indeed!
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Sep 06, 2017 08:52am
Please raise it to 20,000.
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Sep 06, 2017 08:55am
Please dont sendnyone to los angeles with thousand dollars.
You wil Pakistam to shame.
Room,hotel car and food is 200.00 a day
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Sep 06, 2017 08:56am
There are two different amounts quoted as below;
'People travelling to or from Pakistan can now carry Rs10,000 in cash after the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) raised the limit on Tuesday by more than three times.'
And
'A passenger can carry up to $10,000 or equivalent notes of another currency while going abroad, according to SBP’s foreign exchange rules.'
Keeping in view the strength of PKR against foreign currencies, PKR. 10,0000/- is not sufficient for a person travelling abroad. Perhaps there is something which I have failed to understand.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:00am
Previously it was $5000. I assume it has been changed to $10,000 and not PKR10000.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:04am
but where in the world PKR is accepted ?
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Sep 06, 2017 09:05am
@Muhammad Usman Khan thats it 95 ? then in 95 dollars how many days one can survive ?
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Sep 06, 2017 09:09am
who will bulk of Pakistani currency and get only 95 USD .Before it was Rs.3000 equivalent 28 USD
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Sep 06, 2017 09:11am
10,000 US dollars?
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Sep 06, 2017 09:21am
@Muhammad Usman Khan . Pak Rs 10,000 + US$ 10,000. Most appropriate.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:22am
@Muhammad Usman Khan
It's not USD 95 but PKR 10,000.
The limit PKR.10,000/- is particularly for Pakistani banknotes. A passenger can carry up to $10,000 or equivalent notes of another currency while going abroad.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:25am
10,000 Rs is very less amount. Nothing is possible to do with this amount except breakfast. lol.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:27am
I think it is USD 10,000 as mentioned in the 3rd para :)
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Sep 06, 2017 09:50am
do they mean 10,000 USD ? because 10,000 Rs sounds ridiculous
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Sep 06, 2017 09:53am
Rs. 10,000 is a ridiculously low amount of money that could be used to do any meaningful purchases abroad by exchanging it to foreign currency first. EU allows the travelers to carry up to EUR 10,000.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:54am
The limit needs to be revised upwards... at least a traveler can afford 3 days expanses including room rent, travel within city and have decent three times meal..... it should be set at Rs. 100,000.00 min.
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Sep 06, 2017 09:56am
LOL @ "They [the authorities] have never once checked me,” a traveller said. That is so TRUE!!
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Sep 06, 2017 10:00am
Rs 500 limit for India travel is a JOKE for the passengers planning to go to that country.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:03am
PKR. or USD ?
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Sep 06, 2017 10:05am
Wow - India 30 yrs back used to have limit of 200 usd .. now I think we can transfer half a million per year out of India.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:07am
@Muhammad Usman Khan read the news again, it says 10,000 PAKISTANI RUPEES. U can still carry USD 10,000 equivalent in any currency as well, other than PKR.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:09am
Just check wallets of business class returning passengers.
Most of them carry more than 20000 USD
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Sep 06, 2017 10:15am
This limit has been in place to prevent conversion of black money here by carrying rupees outside and sending/bringing dollars inside. This however is never applied to people who are actual culprits.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:40am
Its a good step in the right direction as some of the expats who travel frequently need Pak Currency so legal limit needed to be revised.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:41am
You can still carry other currencies equivalent to USD 10K. This is low so the tourists exchange their currency for PKR within Pakistan.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:44am
What a fat action by SBP. She woke-up after 25 years to realize that prices have gone up. The fact is that in 1992 one could get a taxi from any Major airport to you home town in the same city for 100 Rupees. Now it cost 3 to 5 thousands.
This is one more ground for Sharif brothers/Dar to be charged.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:51am
I don't think that there should be any limit to be fixed for carrying forex if purchased legally.
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Sep 06, 2017 10:59am
Correct it. Its 10,000 USD not PKR.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:10am
I travelled to and from Pakistan 2-days back. The limit for PKR was "Rs. 3,000" only. How one can pay the price of buying Pakistani sweets (Mithhai), duty free Gifts and other gifts for my office colleagues/friends out of country. Even Rs.10,000 is insufficient if you buy a decent gift or other cultural items from Airport Shop. Govt. should consider this. If you are waiting at the airport and enjoy eating decent food you need some more PKR. Please increase the limit to at least PKR 25,000.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:13am
@Khanm forgot to add u can even smuggle the elephant from pak custom...it depends on who u are and what connection u have...
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Sep 06, 2017 11:24am
@Muhammad Usman Khan Only in case of carrying PKR. Not enforced on other currency.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:32am
Seems like most of the readers have failed to understand the news
It means one can take Rs 10,000 along with other foreign currency equivalent of USD 10,000 for their return journey to Pakistan which they be needing immediately on landing on Pakistani Airport - so they don't have to buy Pakistani currency for immediate use on your return to Pak.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:41am
i was checked had 14000 rupees.The guy from customs ( white uniform )on islamabad airport took 1000 rupees and let me pass.I had no other option as my family had already dropped me and left.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:52am
Hopefully all Pakistanis carry credit cards and paid hotel bills else with this much money (roughly $100) a long distance cab can be tough job, forget tip anyways.
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Sep 06, 2017 11:57am
I have been asked every time at the airport how much Pak currency I am carrying. Rs 3000 is usually spent on the airport then and there.The porters cost at least Rs 1000 with tip, Plastic bag service usually cost Rs 800 for four bags, and Rs 2000 if you plan to use the lounge! So you end up planning really hard where you will spend that cash :).
In short, its a welcome step :)
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Sep 06, 2017 12:02pm
I think no one should carry any pakistani currency!
Who will exchange it with local currency when you go outside?
Same thing happens when we take Indian rupee. It is always better to carry $$ or euro because it is more recognized transfer instrument globally recognized.
Only problem is that you pay two conversion charges!
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Sep 06, 2017 12:06pm
Seriously ? i think there is something wrong with the currency you have mentioned. this must be USD
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Sep 06, 2017 12:07pm
@Hamid No this is genuine limit. Before that it was 3000 and now it has been raised to 10,000. Practically, when you are going abroad, you just need pak rupees at local airport therefore, it is believed that this is enough limit.
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Sep 06, 2017 12:07pm
That is still very less.
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Sep 06, 2017 12:07pm
is the limit applicable to people like Ayyan Ali?
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Sep 06, 2017 12:07pm
Too little, too late.
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Sep 06, 2017 12:09pm
@Riaz Uddin For abundant clarity, you c an carry 10,000 dollars and 10,000 pak rupees with you while travelling abroad. Pak rupees to be utilized at local airports only and it is enough money to carry to be spent at airport.
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Sep 06, 2017 12:35pm
Which country abroad, even accepts Pak Rupees for any trade??
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Sep 06, 2017 12:41pm
What a silly joke !
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Sep 06, 2017 12:47pm
I don't understand why there is so much fuss on Pak Rupees when travelling out of pakistan. First people can't use it outside pakistan, second they can spend from debit card or atm if it's required to buy anything while waiting at airport.
In any case, as long as you can take $, there is no point in debating on this topic.
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Sep 06, 2017 12:58pm
Funny to know that for travellers to India can take only Rs 500..I doubt if it can fetch a decent meal for two...
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Sep 06, 2017 01:15pm
Is this limit for Pakistani nationals? If so, then now can they survive in Germany or USA? Is government teaching its nationals cheatings?
Do our politicians carry that much amounts or they have foreign accounts?
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Sep 06, 2017 01:26pm
I was checked last week on this at was carrying more then 20k and was told to change to it foreign currency..and now then change it this week ...man !
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Sep 06, 2017 01:27pm
People, please read the article again. It clearly says the 10,000 limit is for Pak Ruppes only. Each traveler is also allowed to carry $10,000 or equivalent in other currencies.
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Sep 06, 2017 01:28pm
People are very confused after reading the article. Just to clarify, you can carry up to US Dollars 10,000/- and up to Pak Rupees 10,000/- while travelling abroad.
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Sep 06, 2017 01:40pm
This is how we teach corruption to our nation. These dumbs are giving less than $100.00 to people who are traveling to Europe and America too. They can't live one night in a reasonable hotel. Shame to these decision makers.
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Sep 06, 2017 01:41pm
You can carry cash in foreign currency equivalent to $10,000 but Pakistani bank notes should not exceed Rs 10,000.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:02pm
@USMAN S :
Indeed. As an overseas Pakistani citizen, I can vouch for this. We get fleeced by the robbing sods left, right and centre. Save for the embarrassment that we get asked by even customs and police guys inside that ' got any gift?' or 'chai pani' or ' dollar pound etc hay' ' sir any Pakistani change you don't need?' . They are shameless and openly ask on islamabad airport. I have never seen this in Karachi or Peshawar airports though.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:03pm
@Khanm @Khwarizmi @Hamid If you read the article clearly it says "A passenger can carry up to $10,000 or equivalent notes of another currency while going abroad" Which means we can carry over 10 lakh rupees in foreign currency. While we can only carry 10,000 rupees in pakistani currency. Nothing wrong in the article, just need to read it carefully.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:08pm
@Muhammad Usman Khan
The article means ,you can carry US$ 10,000 per person while travelling abroad. While doing so ,previously you could only carry Rs. 3,000 in pak currency. Now you can take Rs. 10,000 with you.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:35pm
I believe it is 10,000 dollars. the Rs. sign seems to be a typo.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:47pm
@Khwarizmi hahaa, very well said. i remember 2 years,20015, ago when i was returning back to UK from Pakistan and all of a sudden when checking in they forced all travelers before they could get their boarding card to pay an extra 3500rs per per person. My fellow relative stated how could we have that kind of money for a family of 4 when we can only take 3000rs. The FIA guy a fellow Pashtun laughed and said 'you are a very smart guy but this is Pakistan and they do what they want and we follow orders from above'. maybe one day we can rid the country of these people who cause nothing but hatred towards the country and the people. The so called moral guardians of Pakistan like to show how Muslims are superior but all the best values of Islam is followed by non-Muslims and all the worse things followed by Muslims.
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Sep 06, 2017 02:53pm
@Hamid reported is not wrong it is written in airport maximum Rs.3000
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Sep 06, 2017 03:04pm
But can we carry $10,000 or as much Euros? right
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Sep 06, 2017 03:12pm
Limits for politicians and elites ?
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Sep 06, 2017 03:13pm
Shows how stagnant and lethargic our institutions are..It took SBP quarter of a century to revise these limits! Really? As a national regulatory authority on top of the finance and economy food chain, how can you be so out of touch with reality?
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Sep 06, 2017 03:20pm
@Muhammad Usman Khan That limit is only in PKR. You can carry upto $10,000 in any foreign currency.
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Sep 06, 2017 03:48pm
I wonder why the sadiq & ameen finance minister did not fix the limits based on filers & non-filers.
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Sep 06, 2017 03:49pm
No problems we use btc
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Sep 06, 2017 04:21pm
@Aqeel " you c an carry 10,000 dollars and 10,000 pak rupees with you "
this is ridiculous, the two amounts are not equivalent
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Sep 06, 2017 05:02pm
@Muhammad Usman Khan agreed
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Sep 06, 2017 05:40pm
What a joke. Why would you carry Pak rupees when you can take $.
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Sep 06, 2017 05:40pm
And wonder why there is no tourists in the country.
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Sep 06, 2017 05:43pm
Is it $10,000 or Rs.10,000? In fact Rs.10,000 won't take you past an airport of a foreign country. State Bank might as well ban foreign travel.
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Sep 06, 2017 05:58pm
does this rule apply to Pakistan oversees visitor bring cash in a foreign currency under $10,000
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Sep 06, 2017 06:16pm
It should be other way around. People should not take foreign currency out in cash. What is Pakistani ruppe worth anyway. Why would any one carry so much weight.
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Sep 06, 2017 06:21pm
More cash dispensor machines should be installed through out Pakistan , including all large villages where bulk of Pakistani live.
Furthermore, these machines should be linked up to international banking that allows expatriates to withdraw cash from their overseas accounts.
Come on Pakistan , leap frog into the future !
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Sep 06, 2017 08:23pm
@Muhammad Usman Khan well said bro, it's means banks should ATM machine on high ways..
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Sep 06, 2017 10:44pm
Good development. For the many commenters who are confusing PKR with foreign currency, you can still carry as much as $10000 undisclosed. Its only PKR that u can't carry more than 10K, which has its economical reasons, besides no body require PKR in huge amounts outside Pakistan
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Sep 07, 2017 10:29am
Why this comparison with India.
Now for your information , legal limit to carry cash currency in US Dollars from India to USA is USD 3000 per person per trip. However, you can carry up to US $10,000 in form of currency notes, Travelers check, etc. without declaring it at the customs.
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Sep 07, 2017 02:41pm
@Muhammad Usman Khan
Mr khan ten thousand $ nt pkr
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