WE often hear that every Pakistani wants to leave this country for greener pastures abroad. I did not believe it fully but a recent occurrence changed my mind.

Having been in the merchant navy for two decades, I have a dollar account in one of the leading local banks. Recently when a cheque was presented for withdrawal, the bank simply declined to honour my request, citing non-delivery of US dollars by the State Bank.

On inquiry, the manager was kind enough to inform me that the dollar shortage had been there for the last six months and that the bank was helpless.

Now I have decided to close my bank account and invest the money abroad or in some foreign bank. Better still, I would like to migrate somewhere where my own hard-earned money is safe and delivered to me when demanded.

Jaffar Naqvi

Lahore

Published in Dawn March 7th , 2015

On a mobile phone? Get the Dawn Mobile App: Apple Store | Google Play