KARACHI: A disruption in connectivity of several banks with 1LINK — the consortium that operates the largest interbank network in Pakistan — caused immense difficulties for customers on Monday in withdrawing cash from automated teller machines (ATMs).
The disruption blocked cash withdrawals from ATMs, affecting many customers.
According to bank customers, online money transfers were also affected as a result of the outage.
Furthermore, in response to customer concerns and worries, 1LINK officials said that connectivity with some banks was affected and the issue is being resolved.
It is noteworthy that in early August, days after purported reports of ATMs facing closures across Pakistan began circulating, the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) issued a clarification, debunking the “fake news.”
“In response to the fake news circulating in the media regarding the possible closure of ATMs, it is clarified that there is currently no issue of unavailability/closure of LDI networks that could potentially affect the IT or financial sector, including ATM networks,” the PTA said in its statement.
The authority added that the operations of expired ILD licensees are not suspended or closed.
