KARACHI: The Banking Mohtasib Pakistan (BMP) has provided relief amounting to Rs1.26 billion to the customers by disposing of 25,493 complaints against commercial banks during the calendar year 2023.

Addressing a press conference at the Institute of Bankers Pakistan on Monday, Ombudsman Sirajuddin Aziz said that out of 36,437 complaints received during the year and those brought forward from the year 2022, 21,886 (86pc) complaints were resolved amicably through reconciliation, while 676 (3pc) complaints were decided after formal hearings and 2,931(11pc) complaints were disposed of/rejected being incomplete, frivolous or due to lack of jurisdiction as per law.

While unveiling the BMP Annual Report for the year 2023, he explained that there was an increase of 21pc in public complaints lodged with the BMP Office against commercial banks during the year as compared to last year (2022).

However, there was a significant decrease in the complaints received on the Prime Minister’s Portal, which explains the overall decrease of 5pc in the total number of complaints during 2023 as compared to 2022.

Published in Dawn, April 30th, 2024