ISLAMABAD: Investors have redeemed/enchased to the tune of Rs115 billion against bearer prize bonds of Rs25,000 denomination which were suspended by the government in December 2020.
According to state media on Tuesday, the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) had paid encashment of Rs 115 billion by February 28 to the investors against the suspension of prize bonds of Rs 25,000.
An official of the CDNS quoted as saying that around Rs 115 billion had been paid to the customers during last three months and remaining 45 billion out of total Rs 160 billion would also be paid by May 30, 2021.
On December 10, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) issued following instructions to the president and CEOs of all commercial banks regarding option to replace / encash the bonds:
i. The Bonds can be converted to Rs. 25,000/-denomination Premium Prize Bonds (Registered) through the 16 field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation, and branches of six authorized commercial banks i.e. National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank Limited, United Bank Limited, MCB Bank Limited, Allied Bank Limited and Bank Alfalah Limited.
ii. The authorized commercial banks shall also issue Rs. 25,000/-denomination Premium Prize Bonds (Registered)as per the prescribed procedure, with immediate effect. Stock of the same has already been delivered to authorized commercial banks.
iii. The bondholder shall be required to submit a written request for conversion of bearer bonds to Rs. 25,000/-Premium Prize Bonds (Registered) on the prescribed application form.
iv. The bondholder shall also be required to submit prescribed application forms for registration / purchase of Premium Prize Bonds as per the procedure in vogue.
Replacement with Special Savings Certificate (SSC) / Defence Savings Certificate (DSC)
i. The Bonds can be replaced with SSC / DSC through the 16 field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation, authorized commercial banks and National Savings Centers.
ii. All authorized commercial banks shall, therefore, accept requests for replacement of bearer bonds with SSC or DSC on the prescribed application form.
iii. The bondholder shall also be required to submit application form for purchase of SSC / DSC (SC-1) as per the prescribed procedure
Encashment at Face Value
i. The Bonds will only be encashed by transferring the proceeds to the bond holder`s bank account through the 16 field offices of SBP Banking Services Corporation, at authorized commercial bank branches and to the Savings Accounts at National Savings Centres.
ii. All commercial banks shall receive requests for encashment of bearer bonds on the prescribed application form.
A copy of the application form (Annexure A), duly signed and stamped, shall be provided to the bondholder as an acknowledgement receipt.
Moreover, the prize bonds encashed / replaced by the general public may be surrendered to the concerned SBP BSC office through the respective regional office of the commercial bank.
The government has already canceled prize bonds of Rs 40,000 and CDNS repaid to the investors the encashment worth of Rs 258 billion in 2019-20.
