PESHAWAR: A major fault in private banks’ network has left majority of Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) in the provincial capital dysfunctional, creating severe inconvenience for the city dwellers who are eager to withdraw cash for Eid shopping.
Sources told the Statesman on Tuesday that the ongoing strike of the PTCL employees was causing delay in the removal of the fault of ATM network, consequently majority of the city ATMs are closed and the account holders are compelled to run from branch to branch in a vain hope to draw cash.
They also quoted managements of various private banks as saying that they (banks) had brought the issue into the notice of State Bank of Pakistan (SPB), however, nothing was done for removing the network fault.
The account holders have demanded of the banks to chalk out an alternative way for drawing cash while complaining that they are facing great difficulties in Eid shopping owing to the closure of the ATMs.
Long queues at the ATMs of almost all banks were witnessed during the day and late into the night but majority had to return empty-handed due to non-functional cash facilitating machines.
People complained that various ATMs installed in the shopping areas of Saddar, Khyber Bazaar, Firdous and Karkhano Market were displaying the message “This ATM is out of service”.
They added that they intended to shop for themselves and their family members as Eid was drawing nearer.
Sabir Khan, a bank customer, said he made several attempts at different ATMs in Saddar area to draw Rs5,000 but failed every time.
“I tried to draw money from the ATMs of three banks but in vain.”
One of the ATMs had no money and another one was out of order, he added.
Sanaullah, a customer accompanied by his family, said he badly needed money while shopping in Saddar but failed to draw cash from any ATM around – Statesman
