THIS refers to the NBP branch in Chitral. The bank’s branch had its own double-story building on purchased land.

In November 2011, the provincial government acquired the building for a bypass road on the understanding that the government will acquire alternative land for the bank within three months. After a lapse of one year, no alternative land was acquired.

In November 2012 the NBP was forcibly vacated. Now the government treasury and the NBP are housed in the upper story of a tiny shop and the strong room is housed in a cabin.The NBP’s Chitral branch is catering to the needs of 31 branches of nine scheduled banks in the district. The NBP’s Chitral branch has a record of 9,000 account-holders, 10,000 government pensioners and 1,200 EOBI pension-holders. It is a pity that an important bank such as the NBP gives a look of an IDP camp in Chitral.

The senior authorities of the State Bank of Pakistan and the NBP are requested to look into the matter and provide a proper building to the bank which can ensure safety as well as grandeur.

DR INAYAT ULLAH FAIZI Danin, Chitral