Sukkur (Report by Danish Rajput)
Nepotism, corruption, and mismanagement in the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) are reaching alarming levels. Agha Bashir Ahmed Tareen, General Secretary of the Peoples’ Labour Bureau Sukkur and a retired NBP employee, has strongly criticized this worsening situation. He revealed that all professional norms and ethical standards are being trampled upon to favor certain individuals within the bank.Agha Bashir Tareen disclosed that a retired clerk, Saeed Haider who had completed his full career as an ordinary clerk and retired at the age of 60—has been rehired on a one-year contract by the Karachi Head Office of NBP. Shockingly, his monthly salary, including allowances, has been set at an astounding Rs. 681,000. Meanwhile, employees with over 30 years of service continue to be denied promotions and basic benefits.What is even more outrageous is that this reappointment has been made at a time when thousands of retired NBP employees are suffering for months without receiving their dues, pensions, or medical benefits. Agha Bashir Tareen condemned the current NBP administration, accusing it of rewarding a particular group while completely ignoring the contributions and rights of former employees.
He questioned, “Has the National Bank become someone’s personal estate? Are the institution’s resources now being allocated to satisfy the whims of a few?” At a time when the country is grappling with economic collapse and inflation is crushing the poor, handing a retired clerk a contract worth hundreds of thousands each month is nothing short of open looting, he added.Agha Bashir Tareen has called upon the government, the Governor of the State Bank, the Ministry of Finance, and NAB to launch an immediate and impartial investigation into this gross violation and bring those responsible to justice. He warned that if such nepotism and injustice are not stopped, former employees will be forced to take to the streets and launch a full-scale protest movement.He concluded that the exploitation of retired employees and the luxurious indulgences of corrupt elements have brought disgrace upon the National Bank, one of the country’s largest financial institutions. “Silence has become a crime now,” he said. “It is time to hold accountable those who are misusing public institutions for personal gain.Retired employees have also voiced their concerns to Agha Bashir Tareen, demanding justice and accountability.