THE bungling and negligence of bank staff has forced me to miss out on the opportunity to perform Hajj this year. My application status got changed from `successful` to `unsuccessful` due to sheer carelessness of the staff who failed to timely transfer the relevant amount to the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony. This was despite the fact that I got the confirmation slip from the bank on May 27 that the amount had been transferred.

My application was handled by the bank`s Khayaban-i-Shahbaz branch in DHA phase V. Since the morning of May 29, I find myself shocked and frustrated. I have been making numerous phone calls, sending WhatsApp messages and sending complaints to all available email addresses and portals of the ministry concerned,the bankin question,the State Bank of Pakistan, the Supreme Court, the president of Pakistan, the banking ombudsman, media houses, besides lodging complaint on the Citizen`s Portal.

Only half-hearted response came from the bank that my issue was being looked into and would be resolved soon, while no response came from any other institution.

My investigations reveal that there are about 1,300 such applications from different banks thathave been affected due to this payment blunder made by banks.

I urge all the relevant authorities to handle and resolve this issue on a priority basis, as this matter is sensitive in nature and relates to the spiritual emotions of people, and any delay can deprive them of this opportunity of a lifetime.

Aftab Ahmed Jabbar Karachi