KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to set the sorting parameters of banknote processing machines.

“To standardise banknote processing parameters and to ensure that different machines give uniform results while sorting banknotes under similar conditions, SBP has deci­ded to fix sorting parameters of banknote processing machines,” said an SBP circular issued on Tuesday.

In the first phase, the SBP has fixed sorting para­m­eters of high-end banknote processing and authe­n­tication systems (BPAS), desktop note sorting (DNS) and countertop note sorting (CNS) installed at its premises and implemented the same across all its field offices.

In the second phase, the SBP in collaboration with banks have calibrated bank­note processing mach­ines deployed in Karachi and compiled the desired readings against each make and model as appr­oved calibrations available on the web.

Earlier, the SBP had released a relevant circular dated Sept 9, 2014 wherein the central bank issued machine fitness sorting parameters to banks to provide minimum standards for machine sorting of Pakistan rupee banknotes.

Under the implementation of SBP’s circular, banks have procured banknote processing machines of various make and models, deployed at Cash Proce­ssing Centres (CPCs) and branches.

Banks have been advised to calibrate all their machines deployed at their CPCs and branches as per approved calibrations by Dec 31, 2023.

Published in Dawn, November 15th, 2023