RECENTLY I went through an unpleasant experience, vis- a- vis a bank, top branch, Swabi district.

I had opened this account for the purpose of my visits to my native village so that I could avoid carrying cash and readily avail myself of my cash deposits as and when needed during my brief visits.

During Ramazan, I desired to know the balance of my account for the purpose of Zakat and was surprised at the refusal of the bank who said that my account had become dormant.

Even after completing all requisite formalities, the bank staff would not let me know my balance. Eventually, I was guided by one of their sympathetic staff members who said that I should deposit some money which would again revive my account.

Being a resident of Karachi, I had great difficulty in reviving the account. Finally, I requested a friend to deposit some money in my account which was then made operational. I soon transferred the entire amount to my Karachi account and closed my account with the bank at Swabi.

Will the State Bank of Pakistan kindly declare through the press whether banking rules are devised for encouraging savings and facilitating citizens or for discouraging savings and scaring them away?

MAJID KHAN JADOON     Karachi