President orders Banking Mohtasib to settle complaints as per law

Islamabad: President Dr. Arif Alvi on Sunday set aside a decision of the Banking Mohtasib over dealing with the complaint of an account holder in an arbitrary manner and directed to address his grievance in accordance with law.

The president asked the Banking Mohtasib to 'process and inquire' about the complaint of the account holder after affording him a due opportunity of hearing. The complainant Shaheen-ur-Rehman, a government employee had filed a representation with the President of Pakistan against the review order of the Banking Mohtasib wherein he was not rendered any relief to his grievance against a bank.

The complainant had approached the Banking Mohtasib alleging maladministration on part of a private bank in, Burewala, which declared his bank account as non-remunerative, thus causing him a monetary loss.

The complainant in his request mentioned that he had opened a new bank account for the purpose of depositing profit on the principal amount, in addition to his earlier Profit & Loss Sharing (PLS) account meant for salary and pension only.

However, after one year, when he approached the Bank to receive the accrued profit, his account was declared as Current Account (Basic Banking Account).

On getting no relief despite several complaints lodged with the bank followed by a petition with the Banking Mohtasib, the complainant made a plea to the President of Pakistan.

Taking note of the grievance of the bank account holder, President Alvi expressed dismay over the dealing of his complaint in a casual manner, without observing the minimum requirements and standards of inquiry.

“This type of disposition of the matter is uncalled for and unsustainable. The rights of the people cannot be trampled in such an arbitrary manner,” he said. He emphasized that the person should have been provided an opportunity to personally confront the Bank’s response, enabling him to put forth his stance for establishing allegations of maladministration and negligence.

The president said the Banking Mohtasib was a forum to redress the grievances of the complainants in accordance with law and natural justice, and hence was expected to observe the minimum requirements of law.