2 min read
Scams and corruption are an unfortunate reality in Pakistan, affecting ordinary people who trust institutions with their hard-earned money. One such case happened to a man named Usman Rafique, who shared his story online to warn others.
Last month, Usman needed to pay his fees in Japan. He borrowed a few hundred thousand rupees from friends, arranging for the money to be transferred to his brother’s account. But almost immediately, the account was blocked and went into a negative balance. His elder brother tried everything to resolve the issue, but HBL, the bank holding the account, offered no help or explanation. Days of calls and visits went unanswered, leaving the family frustrated and helpless.
After weeks of dead ends, a businessman approached the family with a solution. He claimed that, as a major customer of HBL, he could get the account issue resolved, but for 30 percent of the total amount. What the bank could not, or would not, solve, the businessman allegedly managed through backdoor deals, possibly involving someone inside the bank.
Usman suspects that corruption and negligence played a major role in the ordeal. He shared his story not just to highlight the inefficiency of HBL but to caution others about how vulnerable ordinary citizens are to scams and institutional failures in Pakistan.
This incident is a stark reminder that people need to stay vigilant, especially when dealing with banks and large sums of money. While Usman eventually recovered his funds, the emotional and financial stress of the situation serves as a warning for anyone navigating Pakistan’s banking system.
Raising Concerns About HBL’s Accountability
This incident raises serious questions about HBL’s operations and accountability. How is it possible that a customer’s account can be blocked without explanation? Why was Usman’s brother left without any support despite repeated attempts to resolve the issue? Could someone inside the bank have been involved in this alleged backdoor deal? And more importantly, what measures does HBL have in place to protect ordinary customers from such scams? These questions remain unanswered, highlighting the need for transparency and stricter oversight in Pakistan’s banking system.
