The Supreme Court, in a Suo-Moto Notice in respect of the problems being faced by the pensioners, has ordered that pension may be disbursed through all branches of all the licensed banks and banks may be instructed to transfer the amount of pension in the pensioners’ accounts on the procedure adopted for payment of salaries.

In order to implement the honorable Supreme Court’s decision, banks are advised to:

a) Instruct all the branches to cooperate with the pensioners whenever they approach for account opening.
b) The accounts of government/semi-government/defense paid pensioners shall be exempted from levy of service charges as directed vide BPD Circular No. 23 of 2003 and the private pensioners should be allowed to open Basic Banking Accounts in terms of BPRD Circular No. 30 of 2005.
c) Ensure that the pension amount received from the relevant pension giving agencies is transferred to the pensioners’ account in a timely manner.
d) Ensure that adequate seating arrangements and clean drinking water facilities are available in the branches for all senior citizens, especially for old-age pensioners as also advised vide BPD Circular No. 03 of 2006 w.r.t utility bills collection. Further, the bank staff should help and facilitate old-age pensioners (senior citizens) in availing banking facilities and treat them with respect and dignity as directed vide BSD Circular Letter No. 17 of 2000.
e) Approach the relevant pension giving agencies and finalize the procedural formalities for payment of pension in the manner prescribed by the Supreme Court.

Violation of the above instructions will attract penalty under the Banking Companies Ordinance, 1962.

Please acknowledge receipt.