Payment of utility bills

Payment of utility bills is the plight of many citizens residing in various blocks, particularly in Block 15-20 of Gulistan-e-Jouhar, Karachi. Bank Al-Habib located in Block-17, in disregard of the 'suo-moto' notice of the Chief Justice of Pakistan and his directives to accept utility bills at all banks, bluntly refuses and dishonours its acceptance.
Consequently, residents of this area have to go to far distant banks to deposit utility bills, experiencing great inconveniences. The Allied Bank in Block-19 of Gulistan-e-Jouhar accepts utility bills on irregular basis depending on its mood and convenience. Most of the consumers specially the household ladies having a short time at their disposal, walk-out of their houses and wish to deposit utility bills at a nearby bank but their refusal is causing great embarrassment to them.
The only choice of HBL in Block-18 always remains crowded with big queues at a single window. The consumers line-up at the window prior to its opening.
After lining-up for 3-4 hours, they do not reach the window and the HBL closes, forcing consumers to take chance either in the afternoon or on the following days.
This, at times, results in delayed clearance of bills with payment of avoidable surcharge. Bank Al-Habib's refusal is causing pressure on HBL in Block-18.
Due to heavy rush, the HBL has to the call the Police and Rangers party to control the crowd and safeguard the cash dealings of utility bills.
It is worth mentioning that the banks have fabricated holes in their walls on the roadside for the dealings of utility bills. The consumers paying bills have to bend double for face, eye and voice contact with bank officers who sit on chairs in an air-conditioned atmosphere, while consumers stand in long queues under the open sunshine, facing the sandy hot winds without sheds, fans, water in the lobby and benches specially for the senior citizens and ladies who need a short rest to retain their energy in the long queues, for payment.
The Governor, State Bank of Pakistan is requested to arrange for the payment of utility bills at Bank Al-Habib in Block-17 and at other banks in the adjoining area with facilitates of a sun shed, arrangement of cold drinking water and chairs to sit for senior citizens under the present hot and sunny weather.