ISLAMABAD: The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) management and its president rendered unconditional apology for the distress and inconvenience caused to the Senate members, but the Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges deferred the matter to the next meeting with the directions to the finance minister and finance secretary to put appearance and brief on the substance.

The Senate Committee on Rules of Procedure and Privileges met with Senator Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo in the chair at the Parliament house on Tuesday.

During the committee meeting, NBP President Rehmat Ali Hasnie and his management rendered an unconditional apology for the distress and inconvenience caused to the Senate members and reassured them that they are held in high esteem. However, Committee Chairman Muhammad Tahir Bizenjo deferred the issue till the next meeting with the directions that the finance minister and secretary finance to appear and brief on the matter.

While responding to the senators, the NBP president said, “I render unconditional apology for not giving due protocol to the senators and not attending the meeting. I could not attend the meeting due to some situation. I request the committee to accept my apology.”

A privilege motion moved by senators Naseebullah Khan Bazai and Sardar Muhammad Shafiq Tareen against the NBP president on his non-appearance before the Senate Special Committee meeting held in the NBP head office, Karachi.

The Special Committee meeting was held on the problems of the employees of the NBP belonging to Balochistan on 12 October 2023 at 12 noon at NBP Head Office at Karachi; however, the meeting was delayed for 40 minutes due to the absence of the president NBP while he was present in his office within the same building and even after passing of 40 minutes did not care to appear.

Caretaker Minister for Information, Broadcasting and Parliamentary Affairs Murtaza Solangi said that the NBP president should have given due respect to the senators. He said that the NBP management submitted a written unconditional apology in its brief. Now, the NBP president would also render an unconditional apology to the members.

After that, the NBP management and its president rendered unconditional apology. According to the brief submitted by the NBP, “NBP Management would like to render an unconditional apology for the distress and inconvenience caused to the Honourable Senate Members, and reassure them of their highest respect and esteem.”

The Committee Chairman deferred the matter till the next meeting.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2023