KARACHI: Millions of Pakistanis were left cashless during the Eidul Azha holidays as thousands of automated teller machines (ATMs) across the country ran out of cash.

Banks were closed from July 9-12, leaving no chance for clients to get cash if they needed it for any emergency. Most of the ATMs were out of cash the very next day of the banking holiday, leading to problems for depositors-mostly the salaried class and those who stayed away from online banking.

Bank clients moved from one ATM to another looking for much needed cash, but were flashed with messages including `Link down` and `ATM out of cash`. This scenariois repeated every year during Eid holidays and it seems neither the banks nor the State Bank of Pakistan are doing anything to facilitate the card holders. The ATM card holders are the biggest in number among the bank`s clients.

There is a common complaint that banks do not maintain their ATMs with cash and proper care. It makes it more difficult for the cardholders to get money if they need it.

The number of ATMs has been increasing each year while the latest technology is introduced to digitise banking transactions. However, the ATM technology is working poorly and adding to depositor`s misery.

In the first two or three days of each month, ATMs go out of cash or do not work in most places.