The JK Bank branch in Charar-i-Sharief, once seen as a vital financial hub for the town and surrounding villages, is now struggling under the weight of severe staff shortage — leaving hundreds of daily customers frustrated, delayed, and in many cases, helpless.
Long queues, extended wait times, and overworked employees have become the norm at the branch, creating an environment of growing public resentment and exhaustion. Elderly pensioners, women with children, farmers, and daily wage earners—many of whom travel long distances to access banking services—are often forced to wait for hours, only to be told to return the next day.
"I came here at 9 AM for a simple passbook update, but it’s 3 PM now and I haven’t even reached the counter," said Bashir Ahmad Peer and Mehraj Din Soleh residents of Charai Sharief . "This is not just inconvenience—this is a denial of basic service."
Customers complain that even critical functions like cash deposits, withdrawals, loan applications, and account updates are being delayed for days due to the understaffing crisis. Sources suggest that while the footfall at the Charar-i-Sharief branch continues to grow, the number of working staff has not kept pace.
Insiders at the branch, speaking on condition of anonymity, admitted they are overburdened. “We are trying our best, but with limited manpower, it’s impossible to meet customer demands on time,” one employee shared.
The issue is not only affecting individuals but also the local economy. Shopkeepers, orchardists, and small-scale business owners who depend on timely banking for transactions and credit are facing disruptions.
Locals allege that despite repeated complaints to higher authorities, no concrete steps have been taken so far. Advocate Javed Hubi, a senior leader of the Awami Ittehad Party (AIP), called the situation “deeply alarming” and urged JK Bank’s top management to immediately address the crisis. “Banking is a lifeline, especially in remote areas like ours. This neglect is unjust and unacceptable,” he said.
He further warned that if immediate steps aren’t taken to deploy adequate staff, the party will be forced to organize peaceful protests and take the matter to higher forums.
As a region that has already battled development delays and infrastructure gaps, the failure to provide basic financial services adds yet another layer of hardship. In today’s age, where digital banking is being pushed nationally, the people of Charar-i-Sharief are simply asking for what should be basic—timely access to human support at their local branch.
JK Bank must step up and act—before frustration turns into complete loss of faith.