BoP was robbed :Shahbaz Sharif

Lahore:Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif presided over a meeting of board of directors of Bank of Punjab, here today which reviewed in detail the performance of the bank, its future programmes and other issues. Senator Ishaq Dar and Member National Assembly Khawaja Muhammad Asif were also present. President BoP Naeem-ud-Din Khan gave a detailed briefing regarding the performance of the bank.

Addressing the meeting, the Chief Minister said that BoP was robbed of billions of rupees during the last dictatorial era, interference in its affairs was common while a huge loss was caused to the bank through release of heavy loans fraudulently. He said that BoP has been operating without any kind of political interference during the last four years due to which it has strengthened and is providing excellent services to the people. He said that BoP is also making investment in the welfare programmes of Punjab government. He said that the process of provision of yellow cabs to the educated youth under self-employment scheme with the collaboration of the bank is continuing successfully while the facility of soft-term loans for Aashiyana housing scheme has also been provided through the bank. He directed the bank that the target fixed for provision of cabs to the educated youth under self-employment scheme be achieved by July 15. Granting approval in principle to increase the salaries of the employees of BoP, he directed that the committee should look into the matter and submit its recommendations in the light of which the salaries of the employees will be enhanced. The Chief Minister appreciated President of BoP Naeem-ud-Din Khan and his team in operating the bank in an excellent manner and its exemplary performance.

President BoP Naeem-ud-Din Khan while giving a briefing about the performance of the bank informed that the bank deposits have substantially increased while it has also made investment of billions of rupees in various projects. He said that more branches of the bank are being set up for the benefit of the people and Islamic banking will be introduced by the end of the current year. He said that cash management services have been started and the system of the bank has been modernized. He said that more than ten thousand vehicles have been provided to the educated youth under self employment scheme.