The Governor of the State Bank of Pakistan, Dr. Shamshad Akhtar, paid a visit to PACRA offices in Lahore, yesterday. She was accompanied by Mr. Jameel Ahmad, Director, Banking Supervision Department. During discussions with PACRA's Chairman and Managing Director, the focus was on the expected role of credit rating agencies under the Basel II framework. It may be noted that the State Bank of Pakistan has already approved PACRA as an External Credit Assessment Institution (ECAI). PACRA's ratings would, therefore, be recognized for purposes of determining risk weightage of banks’ loan portfolio till such time that banks develop their own internal rating systems to the satisfaction of the State Bank of Pakistan.