NBP commits to key role in Balochistan progress

QUETTA: Saeed Ahmad, President/CEO National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), on Wednesday said the bank would continue to play its role in the infrastructural development of the mineral-rich province of Balochistan. 

“We will do what needs to be done to address the issues, especially those related to issuing loans,” said he while addressing a gathering of local businessmen at Quetta Chamber of Commerce after visiting  the bank’s regional office and branches.

Ahmad assured the participants of the meeting that the problems in the province's the banking sector would be addressed at the earliest.  “Keeping in view the need for digitisation of financial services, our plan is to introduce a system in the upcoming months to allow paying their utility bills and challans for other services through mobile app,” said the NBP chief. 

Moreover, he added, the bank was also working on a plan to link an ATM network to the system to provide customers with more safety and comfort.  Ahmad also announced that the NBP booth at Taftan would soon be transformed into a full-fledged branch. 

“The NBP will extend its full support to local traders with regard to their participation in China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC),” he promised.  Earlier, during a meeting with the bank officials, Ahmad said that additional promotion of the Prime Minister Youth Business loan scheme would allow Balochistan’s youth to tackle challenges at an individual, community and national level. 

“The introduction of financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs), Islamic banking and other products needs to be encouraged along with the provision of interest-free loans for the farmers to curb the issue of increasing unemployment in the province,” the NBP chief directed the local management.