ATMs go out of cash ahead of Eid

ISLAMABAD: Most of the automated teller machines (ATMs) installed in the federal capital and garrison city are either out of cash or inoperative ahead of Eidul Fitr, complain the people. This makes a mockery of the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) instructions to the banks that they should ensure availability of cash in ATMs and proper functioning of the machines before and during Eid days. As no bank staff was there to repair faulty ATMs or refill empty machines with cash due to Eid holidays, a great rush of people, mostly those planning last minute shopping, was seen outside operational ATMs. “I’ve been waiting for my turn for the last 20 minutes. I think I’ll have to wait more to get a chance for withdrawing money,” said Tahir Mehmood standing in a long queue outside an ATM in Aabpara. He said people preferred ATMs for cash withdrawal to visiting banks for comfort. Kashif Pervaiz complained he had visited three ATMs but they were either without cash or not working. Sardar Kamran said he was really frustrated to see all the ATMs he had visited so far without cash. “I’m to go shopping along with the family but unavailability of enough money is preventing me from doing so,” he said. He regretted the SBP’s failure to ensure smooth flow of cash in ATMs despite instructions to the banks. He said telephone calls made the bank helpline went unattended. People demanded that the SBP ensure by all means availability of cash in ATMs and proper functioning of machines before and on special occasions including Eid days. Link...