PESHAWAR, June 29: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has opened its fourth branch in Afghanistan at Balkh in the northern Mazar-i-Sharif province, said a press release issued here on Sunday.

The branch was inaugurated by Governor Mazar-i-Sharif, Ustad Atta Mohammad Noor. Senior vice president and coordinator NBP, Afghan operations, Mohammad Hanif Khan was also present on the occasion.

Ustad Atta Mohammad Noor in his address welcomed the opening of the NBP branch in Mazar-i-Sharif and said that it would contribute to strengthen Afghan economy and its banking sector. “NBP operations in Afghanistan would increase trade activities and play its role in uplift of the country,” he added.

He hoped that it would prove very helpful in strengthening relations between the two countries that have strong bonds of religion, culture and brotherhood.

It is worth mentioning here that NBP was the first ever foreign commercial bank that launched its operations in Afghanistan by opening its first branch at Kabul in October 2003 followed by its next branch at Jalalabad in May 2004 and third branch at Herat during this week.

Mohammad Hanif Khan said that opening of the NBP branch at Mazar-i-Sharif would greatly facilitate and support in the rebuilding of Afghanistan economy besides enhancing economic activities, uplift of the masses and the strengthening of the country’s banking sector.

Diplomats form Iran, Turkey, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, Turkme-nistan and Pakistan, the general secretary of Afghanistan Banks Association, the Balkh police and intelligence chiefs, chairman of the chamber of commerce and industries and a large number of members from the money changers and business communities participated in the event.— APP