Presently we have only 5600 ATMs across Pakistan, just about one ATM against two bank branches. Therefore, there was a strong need for the Central Bank to come up with some policy initiative to improve this position.
As such, SBP has recently issued policy instructions to all banks binding them to expand their ATM network in a phased manner so as to achieve a target level of one ATM for each bank branch. Once this target is achieved, we have plans to gradually raise the bar so as to come close to the international levels.