ISLAMABAD: Finance Minister Mohammad Ishaq Dar on Wednesday told the exchange companies that they should abstain from speculation and unethical practices.

He stated this during a meeting held with representatives of exchange companies at State Bank of Pakistan Building, Karachi.

The representatives of exchange companies apprised the Finance Minister about some of the procedural difficulties being faced by them, said a press statement issued here.

The Ishaq Dar directed the Governor State Bank of Pakistan to sit with the representatives of exchange companies and look into the matter.

The representative of the exchange companies also informed the Finance Minister that volume of gold import had increased under the new entrustment policy issued by the Ministry of Commerce.

The Finance Minister directed the Ministry of Commerce to look into the matter and put up a comprehensive report.

The exchange companies also complained that Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) is conducting investigation whereas it could only do so in the presence of SBP officials.

The Finance Minister directed the FIA to strictly adhere to rules and regulations during investigation.

It was also decided that the next meeting between the exchange companies and the Ministry of Finance would be held in Islamabad in the presence of Governor SBP.

Prominent among those who participated in the meeting include Governor SBP, Yaseen Anwar, Malik Bostan, Advisor to the Ministry of Finance Rana Asad Amin and senior officials of SBP.

(APP)