SBP bars online payment to Indian streaming platforms including ZEE5

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) directed all banks to halt the online payment of Indian streaming platforms

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday directed all banks to halt the online payment of Indian streaming platforms including ZEE5, reported Express PK.

In a notice to the presidents and CEOs of all banks, electronic money institutions (EMIs), Payment System Operators (PSOs), and payment service providers (PSPs), the state bank has ordered to stop accepting different mode of payments, including credit cards for subscribing to Indian content in Pakistan, specifically mentioning Zee5.

“We are in receipt of a letter from the Cabinet Division, Government of Pakistan; whereby, they’ve instructed to stop different modes of payments, such as credit cards for subscribing Indian content in Pakistan, including Zee5 video-on-demand service,” the SBP's Payment System Department (PSD) said in a circular issued to the heads of the banks and payment system providers.

“In this regard, it is advised to ensure meticulous compliance of aforementioned instructions of the government of Pakistan and submit compliance status to PSD, SBP by November 13," the notice further read.

Recently, five original Pakistani shows have been produced by the aforementioned streaming platform. Asim Abbasi's Churails and Mehreen Jabbar's Ek Jhooti Love Story have been released on ZEE5 so far.

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