KARACHI, March 16: State Bank Governor Dr Ishrat Husain on Tuesday inaugurated the inter-connectivity of two ATM switches currently operating in Pakistan at a ceremony held at the State Bank head offices.

Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ishrat said that ATM/debit card holders of any bank can now access their accounts for cash and account information from the ATM of any bank in the country. He said that with the inter-connectivity of the two automated teller machines switches "the financial sector has moved closer towards achieving e-commerce framework in the country."

Muslim Commercial Bank President Aftab Manzoor and country representative of ABN Amro in Pakistan Naveed A. Khan also spoke on behalf of their respective networks of ATM switches - MNET and 1 Link, says a press release. "The combined strength of both switches with approximately 600 ATMs our mutual customers can now access any ATM in Pakistan," he said.