Closure of NBP branches, 'link down' issues perturb pensioners
All the pensioners would be entertained by Monday, claims NBP spokesperson
LAHORE (Dunya News) – National Bank’s online link was reported down on one of the peak days of banking activities ahead of Eidul Fitr, reported Saturday.
Different branches of the bank out of a total of 1,400 across the country witnessed issues related to bad link, delaying issuance of pensions and failing to support finance-related needs of the locals few days before Eidul Fitr.
Long queues were seen outside different branches in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and other parts of the country.
Pensioners wait for their turn at one of NBP’s Lahore branches
Staffers of National Bank Taru Jabba Branch in Nowshera district of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa locked the entrance during working hours, disrespecting State Bank s order while pensioners, many of them with fasts, waited outside.
Pensioners who had started queuing up outside the bank since 8:00 am saw staffers lock the gate while employees sat idle inside.
After the news aired on Dunya News, bank manager came out and maintained a stance that no cheque could be entertained as link of the online branch was down.
However, not too late after that, the lock was opened and staffers were back to work issuing pensions to the locals.
On the other hand, General Post Office staff of Taru Jabba also did not entertain the pensioners claiming that the department was not issued funds for release of pensions.
Officials concerned said that pensioners would be taken care of not before 12:00 pm.
Employees of the GPO in Multan, allegedly helped themselves with bribes and issued pensions to some irked locals. Meanwhile, no separate counter has been established for women customers at the Multan General Post Office.
Rush at the Multan GPO
Problems regarding the online link have surfaced on Saturday when nearly half of branches of every bank are shut but the supreme bank overruled the practice for today in light of the forthcoming Eidul Fitr.
According to spokesperson of National Bank of Pakistan, all 1,400 branches across the country are burdened today owing to the upcoming Eid but the online link has been restored.
He further stated that all the pensioners would be entertained by Monday.
It could also be noted here that State Bank had revised timings of the banks during Ramazan and eased the bankers of long working hours.
Separately, salaries of employees of the Capital Development Authority have not been released and holidays for Eidul Fitr are scheduled to start from Tuesday.
