RECENTLY, I went to my bank to get some money and found it closed. I was told by a man inside the locked-out bank that I must go to such and such a branch.

When carrying my cheque book I reached the place, I was told that it too was closed and I should go to another branch, which, fortunately, happened to be right opposite to the bank.

As was obvious, there was a rush — defeating the very purpose of the lockdown. How could there be social distancing when people hard pressed and denied money in two branches had to rush to this third branch?

Astonishingly, when I presented my cheque, the man at the counter asked me for my original CNIC. In the first place, why should I carry my original CNIC in my wallet all the time? Second, a copy of CNIC can be demanded when someone else is cashing the cheque. Why should the account holder himself present the CNIC when he is personally present in the bank?

Closing branches causes rush in the ones that are open. I appeal to bank bigwigs to realise it is our money. We have trusted it with you. Do not make us run from one branch to another in this heat and emergency. I appeal to Pakistan Banks’ Association to help account holders.

J. S.
Karachi

Published in Dawn, April 17th, 2020