Bank Alfalah Upgrades PE Office to Enhance Emigrant Services

Bank Alfalah has successfully completed a major

branding and renovation project at the

Protectorate of Emigrants Karachi Office

Mazhar Ali Raza

Karachi: Bank Alfalah has successfully completed a major branding and renovation project at the Protectorate of Emigrants (PE) Karachi Office, aiming to improve the experience for overseas workers preparing for employment abroad. The completion of this initiative was celebrated with an inaugural ceremony attended by Mr. Akhtar Javed, Executive Director of the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), who served as the chief guest.

The renovation project focused on modernizing the office’s briefing hall with new facilities designed to ensure the comfort and convenience of emigrants. The updated office now features branding and educational materials to better inform visitors about the benefits of using formal remittance channels and Bank Alfalah’s related products and services. As part of the initiative, Bank Alfalah, in collaboration with an international exchange company, provided cashback vouchers worth 10,000 AED to overseas workers heading to the UAE. This effort underscores the bank’s commitment to promoting formal remittance channels in Pakistan.

Bank Alfalah (BAFL) is also involved in the Pakistan Remittance Initiative (PRI)’s Pre-Departure Briefing Program. Launched in September 2023, this program includes briefing sessions conducted by BAFL representatives at nine PE offices across Pakistan. The sessions aim to raise awareness about formal remittance channels, assist in opening bank accounts, and inform workers about the risks associated with informal channels like Hundi and Hawala.

During the event, Mr. Akhtar Javed highlighted the significant contributions of overseas Pakistanis to the nation’s economy through remittances sent via formal channels. He praised the efforts of the Bureau of Emigration and Overseas Employment and PE offices nationwide for their role in educating emigrants. Mr. Javed also noted that over 5,600 briefing sessions have been conducted by 14 participating banks, educating more than 250,000 workers and opening over 15,000 bank accounts. He further discussed various government schemes for overseas Pakistanis, such as the Sohni Dharti Remittance Program (SDRP) and Roshan Digital Account (RDA), designed to encourage and reward the use of formal remittance channels.

Mr. Farooq A. Khan, Group Head of Corporate Investment and International Business at Bank Alfalah, remarked, “Empowering our citizens with the right knowledge and resources is crucial for their financial well-being and the country’s economic stability. Our partnership with the Protectorate of Emigrants Offices ensures that overseas workers are well-informed and equipped to contribute to Pakistan’s economy legally and safely.”

This initiative exemplifies the successful public-private partnership aimed at enhancing the overall banking experience for overseas Pakistanis, ensuring they can remit funds to their families seamlessly, securely, and efficiently.