The Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL) is reported to have withheld payments to local tractor manufacturers after they refused to give dealership of ZTBL''s subsidiary to one of the top officials, sources told Business Recorder. Kisan Support Program is a subsidiary of the Bank and its Managing Director, a retired brigadier, is understood to have strong connections in the ruling party.
This disclosure has come at a time when the government is planning to launch ''Benazir Tractor Scheme'' by the end of next month. Al-Ghazi Tractors, a major tractor supplier, in a letter, copy obtained by Business Recorder from ZTBL office, said that "demand draft issued by various branches of ZTBL amounting to Rs 350 million plus for tractors delivered long ago are not being honoured when presented to ZTBL''s main office in Karachi."
According to the letter, the company has suspended tractor deliveries to all ZTBL customers and is also holding back delivery of 350 tractors for which call-up letters had been issued. When Business Recorder approached the head of Kisan Support Program to assess the purpose of such a program, he said: "You know, Kisan means Kisan; support means support; and program is program".
He refused to provide any details of the ''program'' which he heads, and stated that he was busy in a meeting. When informed about numerous complaints by farmers that they were not being given delivery of the booked tractors and the companies are shifting all responsibility to the Bank which has withheld payments, he proposed that the reporter should approach Imtiaz Malik, who is dealing with credit.
Imtiaz Malik has recently retired after reaching the age of superannuation, but he has, reportedly, managed to remain associated with the Bank. He has also been promoted to the post of Executive Director. He was not available for comments. When officials in the Ministries of Food Agriculture and Livestock (Minfal) and Industries were contacted with regard to suspension of tractor deliveries to farmers and problems faced by the tractor manufacturers, they replied they had no knowledge of the matter.