New Kabul Bank’s Paktia branch stays closed

GARDIZ (Pajhwok): The New Kabul Bank’s branch has been closed in southeastern Paktia province for the past eight months, creating problems for thousands of customers.

The bank’s branch was closed after a militant attack in May. But it has not been reopened yet despite promises by the authorities concerned. Government servants, including security personnel, teachers, particularly female teachers, and workers of other departments in Paktia have been unable to receive their salaries since the bank’s closure.

Halima Khazan, principal of the Halim Khazan Girls’ High School in Gardez, said female teachers were in serious trouble as they could not get their salaries for several months.

“All female teachers are in serious trouble. You can imagine the plight of those who have not received their salaries for several months. Though their families need money, yet women can’t go to another province,” she remarked.

A soldier in the first police district of Gardez, Gul M. Paktiawal who traveled to Khost province to collect his salary, said he could not receive his pay despite waiting for a long time.

“We went to Khost to get our salaries from the New Kabul Bank branch there, but there was some problem in the system. Bank staff told us we should come later, but we could not stay in hotels because we have no money,” he said.

Ghulam Hazrat Wolesmal, principle of the Shah Qambar High School, also lamented the bank’s closure in the province. He said if he collected his salary in another province, he would be charged 500 afghanis.

“We don’t know why they the bank isn’t reopened. Changing its location won’t take that long,” he believed.

On the other hand, shopkeepers in Gardez also complained of plummeting sales after the bank’s closure. One of them, Mohammad Yousuf, said: “People can’t get their salaries and it affects our business.”

But Waisuddin, head of the New Kabul Bank for Paktia, said relocation of the branch took time but it would be reactivated in the near future.

“All equipment and the building are ready. Only the power generator has some problems, which would be resolved as soon as possible,” he promised. New Kabul Bank has only one branch in Paktia province and people wait several days for their turn to receive salaries.