In a massive crackdown against the hoarding of US dollars the authorities are planning to scan bank lockers using special devices across the country, sources told Aaj News on Saturday.

However, officials from the State Bank of Pakistan and Federal Investigation Agency have clarified that reports about scanning bank lockers are false.

“The SBP has not initiated any such move, nor is it possible to scan lockers from the outside,” Dawn newspaper quoted the SBP’s chief spokesperson as saying.

FIA Punjab Director Sarfraz Virk told Dawn that while a crackdown against smuggling is underway, no scanning of lockers is planned. He also denied reports that lists of people buying dollars in bulk had been generated.

The interim government has already launched a crackdown against the smuggling of dollars, but now it is entering the next phase, the sources said on Saturday, with intelligence agencies, the central bank, and an investigation agency gearing up for the grand operation.

They added that the government has identified individuals and companies involved in illegal hoarding of the greenback.

The institutions tasked to lead the operation have gathered two years of data on exchange companies.

A list of those buying dollars in unusual numbers has been prepared, said the sources adding that officials believe dollars were stashed in back lockers in large amounts.

The sources said lockers could be scanned using modern technology and devices, without being opened.

It is believed that the value of the US dollar would fall by a great margin after the crackdown, the sources said.