KARACHI, Oct 10: It is disappointing for thousands of bank customers that quite a large number of ATMs (auto-teller machines) are either out of order or left without cash on the eve of Eid.

There were widespread complaints that many ATMs, installed in various parts of the city, do not function round the clock. Customers are often seen rushing from one ATM to another to draw cash in the hope of getting a transaction done.

Even frustrating are the mind-boggling messages appearing on the screen of these machines when customers try to draw cash, especially during night hours, and they are informed: “your account is invalid”, “host is not processing the request”, “issuer link is down”, “your request cannot be processed,” “the amount exceeds the target limit” etc.

Such messages are not at all new to the regular customers as they have been experiencing such things for years but the frequency of such messages had considerably increased over the past week with the mounting rush of customers drawing cash for shopping on the eve of Eid.

The dual problem of non-functional machines and refusal to entertain a request has virtually rendered the ATM facility almost useless.

Some customers leaving an ATM in Saddar, grumbled in sheer disappointment “how can they extend this facility to rural areas when they cannot set things in order even in the city’s business and commercial centres?” “The ATM service in the city’s suburban areas like Malir, Landhi, Korangi, Shah Faisal Colony, etc is rubbish,” remarked one of them.

In many cases, a teller-machine does deliver balance amount receipt but denies delivering cash.

People often make calls to newspaper offices to complain about the poor ATM service. They appear more resentful these days as the problem is ruining their plans after they leave home for shopping.

Businessmen and salaried class are equally affected by the problem. The salaried people usually need the cash within a few days after their salaries are transferred to their account but the denial of cash by the ATMs badly affect their routine payments for weeks together.

Some of the enraged customers accuse staff of the concerned bank branch of keeping the attached ATM out of order or without cash although the State Bank of Pakistan has already directed all banks to ensure sufficient deposits in their teller-machines.