The Londoner

Central Banks are not a very difficult entity to on-board as a counter party because risk based approach will suggest that it is one of the least risky proposition if done correctly. Here are the main steps to perform counterparty check on a Central Bank: 1.        Check on Bank for International Settlements (BIS) that it listed on that website.  The name should match exactly and link should take you to your potential counter party’s website.  The website link for BIS is https://www.bis.org/ .  This is the confirmation that your counterparty is a central bank. 2.        Get the proof of existence and name. This can be achieved by using central bank’s website and Bankers Almanac. Bankers Almanac is an acceptable source for most banks. The link to their website is https://www.bankersalmanac.com/formslogin.aspx# This is not a free resource and your organization will have to pay for this website but it is very important source for banking institutions as it can con

By Sikander Hayat  Syria is suffering and whole Muslim world is suffering because of over emphasis on religious identity . Shia , Sunni and countless other sects are fighting to implement their form of Islam.  Islam is a simple religion but people have hijacked it and made it into something which it is not. At the heart of all wars is this fight for identity. Geopolitical forces are using this rift to further their aims.  Sipah Sihaba, Siphah Mohammad, Lashkar-e-Jhangwi etc. are symptoms of a deeper malaise in Pakistani society.  Following article defines one of these struggles taking place in Pakistan.  http://real-politique.blogspot.co.uk/2013/11/are-you-real-muslim-pakistans-quest-for.html

By Sikander Hayat I needed to apply for a smart NICOP for my son and went to Pakistan Embassy with the required documents. You need to book an appointment before turning up at the embassy. The web address for booking the appointment is   http://www.phclondon.org/appointments/  . The address for London embassy is 34-36 Lowndes Square, London SW1X 9JN . The nearest tube station is Knightsbridge. I had an appointment at 1500 hours and reached there with the appointment confirmation printout. You need to have you the following docs with you if you are a British National You appointment printout Your original detailed birth certificate & photocopy British Passport & photocopy Pakistani passport of your parents and photocopy If your parents do not have the passport than their NICOP and photocopy There are six steps to the process : You meet first team which confirms that you actually have an appointment and check that you have the requir

By Sikander Hayat 23rd of the June 2016 will always be remembered by the people of United Kingdom . People have spoken and they want out. United Kingdom is out of the EU and Pound is down to the value it has not seen in many decades. This is the most momentous and seismic event after 1945. What is going to happen is anyone's guess as most people are coming to grips with the new reality. The sheer weight of immigration forced British people to leave European Union . In the short to medium term, British economy will come under great stress from the uncertainty created by the Brexit. There is a danger that jobs will be moved from London to European Union centres and London may lose a lot of business to rival cities within the Union. It will take at least two years for the negotiations to conclude between UK and EU on terms of exit. David Cameron has resigned but will stay on till October when new PM will be selected who will trigger article 50. Article 50 st

Famous qawali singer Amjad Sabri has been murdered in Karachi. At the moment motives of the murderers are unknown and it is not known who has committed this heinous act. Pakistan is a dangerous place for anyone but for people who are well known, it can be a hellhole. Son of Chief Justice Sindh High Court has been abducted couple of days with his future in deep uncertainty and now Amjad Sabri has been killed.  In a normal country one can think of reasons for such oppression but in Pakistan there are so many different actors at work that it is near impossible to find out the identity of the culprit or their reason for such barbarity. Amjad Sabri was a singer and it is hard to think what wrong he did to upset anyone. Most of his singing was about the praise of Allah and his prophet and still he was not good enough to be allowed to live. Was this a case of extortion related killing, religiously motivated or politics had something to do with it, is currently unknown.  Home