KARACHI, Sept 23: The ATMs were installed by banks to facilitate their clients, make cash availability 24 hours and save time of both the banks and customers, but the technology used to give shock and pain to its users.

On Saturday people were found trying to withdraw cash but most of the ATMs were found de-linked from the main system. They kept roaming throughout the day but failed to get cash.

“For the last two days I have been trying to get cash but the ATMs from North Nazimabad to Merewether Tower were not functional,” said Wasim Ahmed, a regular user of ATM. “I was never sure that I would be able to get the desired money. But this time when everybody needs money for Ramazan expenses, the ATMs are out of link.”

This has become an annual feature as banks do not provide cash (through ATMs) to their depositors, especially before Ramazan (before Zakat deduction) and Eid.

The same thing happened last year when people kept roaming in vain around the city to get cash before Eid. Since the banking hours are reduced during Ramazan, depositors find it difficult to get money through cheques.

There was a feeling among the customers that banks were out of cash and deliberately avoided providing cash through the ATMs.

“It looks that all ATMs were deliberately de-linked from the main system. I tried a number of ATMs but the answer was that your transactions can not be carried out,” said Haris. He was in dire need of money but would not be able to get cash before Tuesday, as banks will remain closed for public dealing on Monday for Zakat deduction.

A number of people complained that the ATMs did not function properly and they used to check two to four ATMs to get cash. They said it had created a kind of uncertainty among the users and they had started using cheques.