The President National Bank of Pakistan (NBP), Saeed Ahmad visited the Chitral valley and its adjoining areas where he inaugurated the first Islamic banking branch of the area. The graceful ceremony was attended by various local dignitaries, notably Irshad Ahmed Sodhar, Deputy Commissioner (DC), Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin, Member National Assembly (MNA), Saleem Khan and Saeed Sardar Hussain Shah, Member Provincial Assembly (MPA), Colonel Mueen Uddin and Commandant Chitral scouts among others.
NBP's senior executives present at the occasion included, Muhammad Aasim Akhtar, Group Head - CRBG, Syed Waseem Akhtar, Regional Head - Peshawar and Saima Rahim, Regional Head Aitemaad Islamic Banking Group (AIBG). The dignitaries acknowledged NBP's valuable efforts to promote local businesses. This was the first such visit by the President of the bank since its inception almost 70 years ago. The local business community expressed their gratitude to the President for taking personal interest in the area.
Shahzada Iftikhar Uddin, MNA said that Chitral is a far-flung area and remains neglected in many ways for want of development and basic infrastructure requirements. The President's visit was aimed to understand first-hand the problems faced by the customers as well as the NBP staff and to take corrective measures to alleviate these problems. Saeed Ahmad said, "The people of Chitral have expressed their preference for the Islamic mode of financing and it was this desire of the local population that motivated NBP to open its first branch in Chitral".
The branch was inaugurated by the Irshad Ahmed Sodhar, DC, Chitral and the President NBP. The august gathering at this event included the local elected representatives of National and Provincial Assemblies, senior government officials and customers. At this occasion, the speakers appreciated the services which NBP is providing for the last many years to the people of Chitral and its adjoining and far flung areas.
During his trip to the Chitral valley, the President NBP visited the under construction Hydel power station which after completion of the first phase will provide electricity to the entire area, while upon completion of the project, electricity will be added to the national grid.-PR