'Humiliation of pensioners'

Reference letter to the editor by "Daughter in law of an aggrieved widow" appearing in this newspaper under the above caption. If the facts of the case are true (as reported in the letter), EOBI does not have the words with which to describe its pain and disappointment on the shameful conduct of NBP officers at Gulshan-e-Iqbal branch.
If true, in this case, EOBI condemns the attitude of NBP Gulshan-e-Iqbal officials in the strongest words. If the words like "Jaldi say mar kyon nahi jati" and "Kyon zinda ho, mar kyon nahi jati" were uttered as reported, such persons should be dismissed from NBP service as they are an insult to any organisation, if not humanity itself.
This is not just an issue of insulting EOBI's or NBP clients but one of inhuman behaviour. Elderly people and specially widows demand our sympathies and EOBI pensioners need more attention as besides being old and weak, NBP received a Rs 25 transaction fee per pensioner for provision of services to them. They do not visit the NBP to receive charity but their right and thus deserve every bit of the same treatment as any other client.
While NBP has initiated an enquiry for alleged misbehaviour and discourteous attitude of officials of Gulshan-e-Iqbal Branch (as stated in a letter published in this paper on September 29, 2007) and EOBI is also taking up its own independent inquiry.
In order to conduct its inquiry EOBI requests the author of the letter to come forth and meet, call (on Karachi phone 9217907) or write an email (on [email protected]) to the undersigned. Full confidentiality is guaranteed. We assure you that strict disciplinary action will be taken against the bank officials who have uttered these shameful words.
We take this opportunity to add that EOBI takes grievance redress very seriously. While a toll-free call/complaint centre will start functioning within a month, all EOBI stakeholders are requested to send an email to [email protected] providing full details of their grievances. A response is guaranteed within three working days.
(The writer is Director General Employees Old Age Benefits Institution Labour & Manpower Division Government of Pakistan.)