KARACHI, June 17: Habib Bank Limited is implementing a state-of-the-art banking package, which will be rolled out in 350 key branches starting next year, its president Zakir Mahmood told IT and Telecommunications Minister Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari, who paid a visit to HBL headquarters on Tuesday.

Mahmood informed the minister that the bank had a network of ATMs spread over 15 cities and was installing additional ATMs to cover 24 cities, says a press release. He explained that 12 major banks have joined to share their ATMs, thereby creating a national switch.

Mr Zakir said that currently 120 branches had been connected to the network and another 100 branches were under implementation. This connectivity has helped the bank start internet banking, PC banking, on-line banking and issue debit cards. He explained that the bank had developed a VPN (virtual private network) using internet technologies to connect HBL’s 1,430 branches and offices through a system called SIMEX. “This would help in free flow of data and documents between the branches and the offices.”

The minister appreciated this and observed that such technologies could be used by other organizations also having similar environment. He said his ministry would create an enabling environment and provide necessary infrastructure in this regard.