DERA ISMAIL KHAN, Aug 9: A move has been launched to shift the regional head quarter of National Bank of Pakistan from here.

Under the bank’s new policy, the bank decided to establish regional head quarters at Mardan, Peshawar, Bannu and Abbottabad. Later, finding it unsuitable, the decision was changed and Dera Ismail Khan was selected for the establishment of regional head quarter office.

Despite some other moves, the bank stood by its decision. Zahir Shah was nominated as regional chief at Dera Ismail Khan who has not yet reported to take over the charge, while all the other three regional offices have started functioning.

It is said that some elements were not interested in getting the regional office to function at Dera Ismail Khan, on the pretext that no proper building was available in the entire city suitable for establishing the regional office. In fact, more than Rs 2.8 million were spent on renovation of the Site Branch of National Bank on Tank Toad for the purpose.

The building and its assets are owned by the National Bank but now it remains unused. Besides, a number of other buildings are also available to be used for such office.

Social, political and trader sectors have expressed their concern on this move and have asked the President of the Bank and Governor State Bank to streamline the policy and issue orders for the establishment of the bank without any further loss of time.