政府提議修訂 SBP 法案，允許雙重國籍擔任州長，使數位貨幣使用合法化

如果得到聯邦內閣和議會的批准，加密貨幣和比特幣等數位貨幣的使用可能會成為法定貨幣

The federal government has proposed amendments to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Act to allow dual nationals to serve as governor and deputy governors of the central bank and to legalise digital currency use in Pakistan.

聯邦政府提議修訂《巴基斯坦國家銀行（SBP）法案》，允許雙重國籍人士擔任央行行長和副行長，並使數位貨幣在巴基斯坦的使用合法化。

If approved by the federal cabinet and then by Parliament, the use of cryptocurrencies and digital currencies like Bitcoin could become legal tender — a shift from the SBP's traditionally cautious stance on such currencies.

如果得到聯邦內閣和議會的批准，加密貨幣和比特幣等數位貨幣的使用可能會成為法定貨幣——這改變了瑞士央行對此類貨幣傳統上的謹慎立場。

Government sources told Dawn that the finance ministry has proposed around a dozen amendments to the SBP Act, which the Ministry of Law has vetted. A summary has been sent to the federal cabinet for approval, signalling a shift in the government's approach to financial policy.

政府消息人士告訴《黎明報》，財政部已對 SBP 法案提出了大約十幾項修正案，並已得到法務部的審查。一份摘要已送交聯邦內閣批准，這標誌著政府金融政策方針的轉變。

The proposed amendments would allow dual nationals to serve as governor, deputy governors and non-executive directors on the central bank's board, sources said.

消息人士稱，擬議的修正案將允許雙重國籍人士擔任央行董事會的行長、副總裁和非執行董事。

This restriction was initially imposed in January 2022, following broad amendments to the SBP Act, which were influenced by the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the preferences of the former governor. Notably, however, the IMF did not specifically advise the restriction on dual nationals.

這項限制最初於 2022 年 1 月實施，此前受到國際貨幣基金組織 (IMF) 和前行長偏好的影響，對 SBP 法案進行了廣泛修訂。但值得注意的是，國際貨幣基金組織並未具體建議對雙重國籍的限制。

The government has proposed an amendment to Section 13 of the SBP Act, which addresses the disqualification of the governor, deputy governors, directors and members. The current clause disqualifies any person holding dual nationality from serving in these roles. The new amendment proposes to remove the term "having dual nationality" from this section, effectively lifting the restriction.

政府已提議對《SBP 法》第 13 條進行修正案，其中涉及取消行長、副行長、董事和成員資格的問題。目前的條款取消了任何擁有雙重國籍的人擔任這些職位的資格。新修正案建議從該條中刪除「具有雙重國籍」一詞，從而有效解除限制。

One of the SBP's deputy governors, Dr Inayat Husain, who is a dual national, is completing his term on November 8. Given his experience and significant role within the SBP, the government is reportedly interested in retaining him for a new five-year term. When Dr Husain was originally appointed, there was no restriction on dual nationals.

SBP 的一名副行長 Inayat Husain 博士擁有雙重國籍，將於 11 月 8 日完成任期。侯賽因博士最初被任命時，對雙重國籍沒有任何限制。

Last month, Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb stated there was a limited pool for top positions, suggesting that the ineligibility condition might need revision.

上個月，財政部長穆罕默德·奧朗則布表示，高級職位的人才庫有限，這表明可能需要修改資格條件。

"We may need to bring a few things back to Parliament, particularly regarding nationality," he said during a Senate Standing Committee on Finance meeting.

他在參議院財政常設委員會會議上表示：“我們可能需要將一些事情帶回議會，特別是有關國籍的問題。”

By November 8, two of the three deputy governor positions could become vacant unless the government acts quickly to appoint replacements and amend the law. Dr Inayat Husain and former IMF Senior Advisor Dr Saeed Ahmad — both holding dual nationality or foreign-origin cards — are leading candidates for these positions.

到 11 月 8 日，除非政府迅速採取行動任命替代者並修改法律，否則三個副省長職位中的兩個可能會空缺。伊納亞特·侯賽因(Inayat Husain) 博士和國際貨幣基金組織前高級顧問賽義德·艾哈邁德(Saeed Ahmad) 博士（均持有雙重國籍或外國血統卡）是這些職位的主要候選人。

Under current law, the federal government appoints deputy governors based on recommendations from the SBP governor, in consultation with the finance minister, following a list of candidates presented in order of merit.

根據現行法律，聯邦政府根據 SBP 行長的建議，與財政部長協商，根據候選人名單按功績任命副行長。

Legalising digital currency

數位貨幣合法化

The proposed amendments introduce, for the first time, the concept of digital currency in the SBP Act. Sources said that until now, the SBP had consistently rejected digital currency proposals and even issued public advisories warning against their use.

擬議的修正案首次在 SBP 法案中引入了數位貨幣的概念。消息人士稱，到目前為止，SBP 一直拒絕數位貨幣提案，甚至發佈公開建議，並警告不要使用數位貨幣。

The proposed amendments define digital currency as "a digital form of currency issued by the bank under section 24 as legal tender under section 25." Section 24 authorises the SBP to issue banknotes, which are recognised as legal tender under section 25.

擬議的修正案將數位貨幣定義為「銀行根據第 24 條發行的數位形式的貨幣，作為第 25 條規定的法定貨幣」。第 24 條授權 SBP 發行紙幣，根據第 25 條，紙幣被承認為法定貨幣。

Additionally, an amendment to section 4C, which defines the SBP's functions, proposes granting the central bank the authority to issue digital currency. This change would allow the SBP to manage Pakistan's currency "in physical or digital or both forms." The SBP also intends to establish a subsidiary to develop and operate digital payment systems.

此外，對第 4C 條的修訂定義了 SBP 的職能，建議授予中央銀行發行數位貨幣的權力。這項變更將使巴基斯坦央行能夠「以實物或數位或兩種形式」管理巴基斯坦貨幣。 SBP 還打算成立一家子公司來開發和營運數位支付系統。

The amendments to section 17 authorise the SBP to conduct "central bank digital currency" business, and similar changes are suggested for section 24.

第17條的修正案授權SBP進行「央行數位貨幣」業務，第24條也建議進行類似的修改。

Previously, the SBP had issued public advisories warning the public about virtual currencies like Bitcoin, Litecoin, Pakcoin, One Coin, Das Coin, Pay Diamond and others, clarifying that these tokens were not recognised as legal tender in Pakistan. The central bank highlighted concerns about the anonymity associated with virtual currencies, which it warned could facilitate illegal activities, and noted the lack of legal protection in cases of loss.

先前，SBP 曾發佈公共諮詢，警告大眾注意比特幣、萊特幣、Pakcoin、One Coin、Das Coin、Pay Diamond 等虛擬貨幣，並澄清這些代幣在巴基斯坦不被視為法定貨幣。央行強調了對與虛擬貨幣相關的匿名性的擔憂，警告虛擬貨幣可能會促進非法活動，並指出在發生損失時缺乏法律保護。

The new amendments also propose a penalty for unauthorised digital currency issuance. Anyone found issuing digital currency illegally would be fined an amount equal to twice the value of the illegal issuance.

新修正案也提出對未經授權發行數位貨幣進行處罰。任何人發現非法發行數位貨幣，將被處以非法發行金額兩倍的罰款。

Expanding SBP board powers

擴大 SBP 董事會權力

The proposed amendments would also expand the SBP board's powers in approving financial reports. The existing subsection (d) of section 9A would be extended to cover the approval of the SBP's annual report, half-yearly report, reports on the state of the economy, the financial stability report, and financial statements of banks.

擬議的修正案還將擴大 SBP 董事會批准財務報告的權力。第 9A 條現有的 (d) 小節將擴展至涵蓋 SBP 年度報告、半年度報告、經濟狀況報告、金融穩定報告和銀行財務報表的批准。

Changes to section 9B, which pertains to SBP board meetings, are also proposed. The amendments would allow the board chairperson or three non-executive directors to call a meeting, where previously a "member" was required to do so. This change aims to clarify governance processes.

也提議對與 SBP 董事會會議有關的第 9B 節進行修改。修正案將允許董事會主席或三名非執行董事召集會議，而以前需要「成員」才能召開會議。這項變更旨在澄清治理流程。