FAISALABAD: The Jaranwala police closed 10 branches of different banks for two hours each on Wednesday for poor security arrangements.

The branches of banks were closed in the backdrop of an abortive bid of three robbers to loot the MCB’s Alipur Bungalow branch on Tuesday.

Sources said that managements of banks had repeatedly been asked to improve security arrangements.

They said that courts had also warned banks to improve security, but to no avail.

They said that Zarai Taraqiati and Albarka banks in Jaranwala; MCB in Chak 72-GB, Saddar, Jaranwala; MCB in Mandi Buchiana; UBL in Chak 653/4-GB, Lundianwala; MCB in Adda Sattiana; HBL in Bank Adda, Rodala Road; HBL, UBL and Askari banks’ branches in Khurrianwala and ABL in Adda Johal, Balochni; were closed for two hours.

A police officer said: “Our focus is on the security of banks to avoid losses, but managements of banks seem to have no interest in it.”

He said that 17 branches of different banks, including these 10 branches, had also been closed for two hours on March 18 with a warning that they would improve their security, but they paid no heed.

He said police had no authority to close branches of banks for more than two hours.

“The poor security in banks is tantamount to inviting robbers to loot assets of their clients that tarnish the image of the country, police and shatter the confidence of people,” he said

He said police would repeat the exercise of closing banks if their managements failed to improve security arrangements.

Published in Dawn, April 2nd, 2015

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