In his letter published on 24 August 2004 S.M. Bukhari from Karachi stated Banks chare a good amount of Rs. 3000 as security deposit which when locker is surrendered after 10 or 20 years is refunded back without any compensation.
I struggled on this issue for more than 10 years that WAPDA, KESC, Gas company, Banks at the time of surrender of meter, locker should either share the interest they had earned keeping cash security deposit for 10, 20, 30 years or alternatively should accept as security Savings Certificates issued by Pakistan Post Office pledged in their favour so on close of electricity connection or locker the citizen gets benefit on his deposit. I gave reference to the relevant clause approved by the Federal Government that Certificates issued by Pakistan Post Office can be pledged as security with government departments. I approached on this issue at different levels including State Bank, Pakistan Banking Council, Federal Ombudsman and with some legislators of that time but I never got any response. If my memories are not misguiding me in this old age I think I also addressed some years back the Honourable Supreme Court of Pakistan as a Human Right Petition but perhaps my petition gone astray in mail.
Mid 1990s I took this issue when PTCL had with it my security in the shape of Defence Savings Certificates. A telephone connection obtained goes practically in inheritance whereas the Defence Certificates after 10 years got expired. PTCL resisted my move but the then ombudsman well appreciated my view point and ordered PTCL to return me my matured Certificates which it did and against my Rs. 400 security deposited in shape of these certificates I got from Pakistan Post Office Rs. 11,000/- or Rs. 13,000/-. I raised this issue also with some so called NGOs and Associations but no response.