Insufficient cash, closures reported at ATMs across the country

The State Bank of Bank (SBP) has strictly instructed all banks across the country to ensure that ATMs are run smoothly without any hassle and have adequate cash in them. However, citizens were disappointed to see either insufficient money or completely dysfunctional machines when they went to collect money for shopping and other expenditures.  

The State Bank of Pakistan has also announced to release fresh currency notes worth Rs 130 billion, but citizens were unable to receive them as ATMs did not have enough cash.

In Sukkur, huge crowds were witnessed outside ATMs where people seek to receive new currency notes, withdraw pensions and salaries, and their installments of the Benazir Income Support Programme. They were found waiting for several hours in extreme heat and while fasting just to receive their money.

In Badin, the ATMs of several national and private banks were found to be closed causing huge inconvenience to the people in the city. It was found that at least five of the nine banks in the city had closed their ATMs just as the Eid holidays are near.

A bank official speaking on the condition of anonymity said that banks were not receiving sufficient cash deposits which was creating a shortfall. He said that banks were not even able to pay to accounts holders and so could not keep cash in the ATMs. He said that the cash flow of an ATM was around Rs6 million within 24 hours.