December 18, 2006	Monday	Ziqa'ad 26, 1427

KARACHI, Dec 17: It is hard to earn money but its even harder to get pension through a bank. A heart wrenching scene will greet anybody who happens to be on the main Shahrah-i-Pakistan in the vicinity of Block-13, Federal B Area during banking hours. Hundreds of senior citizens, some barely stand, wait patiently outside a bank to collect their pension.

The government has failed to solve the problems being faced by the pensioners, who have to undergo torturous moments every month outside different branches of the National Bank of Pakistan to receive their pensions even in the unpleasant weathers.

Expressing their annoyance over the performance of the bank, the aged pensioners, both men and women, urged the concerned high ups to take action against the staff for not paying due attention towards them.

They said the behaviour of staff was very derogatory with the people, who had rendered valuable services in the best interest of the country as government employees in the past. They said the specification of branches for the pensioners was an irrational decision on part of the government and meant to torture the people, adding that the pension should be paid through all the banks. They also expressed their anguish over the non-availability of sufficient drinking water, proper shade and seating facilities in the bank’s premises.

It was informed that even the people on wheelchairs had to wait for their turn, but sometimes had to get back empty handed when the bank’s staff shut the window.

They asked the government to devise a strategy whereby elderly people could get the payment easily.

When contacted, the bank manager said there was a limited staff which could not fulfil the requirements of people in such a large number.