SBP amends rules governing Primary Dealers

In view of regular and more frequent auctions of fixed-rate and floating-rate Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs), the State Bank of Pakistan has made amendments in the rules governing Primary Dealer (PD) system.

Under the amended rules, PDs would be allowed to carry out “When issued” trading for fixed-rate and floating-rate Pakistan Investment Bonds (PIBs) as per the following schedule: (i) For fixed-rate PIBs: when-issued trading will be allowed during five (05) working days prior to the auction. (ii) For floating rate PIBs: when-issued trading will be allowed during three (03) working days prior to the auction.

Furthermore, the PD will not be allowed to short sell a particular issue more than 5% of the target amount of each tenor, during the “When issued” period. Short selling will be allowed only up to the time of auction and will be available only if the auction is accepted.

In case a PD is unable to square its short position, PD will be required to cover the short position from the market. However, if the outstanding size of a particular issue before any auction is less than Rs 200 billion (Face Value), State Bank of Pakistan, at its discretion, may provide accommodation of the short-selling. Decision of the State Bank of Pakistan in this regard shall be binding.