The customers of the Muslim Commercial Bank (MCB) were pushing from pillar to post as the online system of the bank went offline on Saturday in the city. Interestingly not only the online banking system, but majority of the ATMs of the bank also developed some fault, as customers faced hardship in withdrawal of cash from the bank.
Some customers were of the view that not only the ATMs of the MCB, but that of other banks were also not working properly. The fault in ATMs on one hand and off lining of the branches on the other was reported from all branches of the bank. Hundreds of customers, particularly the employees of public and private sectors, faced difficulties in encashment of cheques and cash withdrawal through ATMs.
The month of Ramazan coupled with the beginning of the new month of the calendar attracted a large number of customers to the branches of the bank. The people required cash both for the purchase of daily use items and shopping for Eid.
"I have tried my ATM card on all machines of the bank in different parts of the city and cantonment, but failed to withdraw a single penny," said Fahim Siddiqui, a private sector employee. He was also carrying a cheque in his hand for encashment in the MCB, Peshawar Cantt Branch.
"The system of the bank has not been working properly since August 14 and customers face problems every day," said another customer standing in a queue in front of the payment window of the branch. However, the employees of the branch were unable to satisfy the customers.
Talking to Business Recorder, a senior official of the MCB said, on condition of anonymity, that the downing of the optic fibre system had affected the banking system of the whole country. "The system starts working for a short time and then once again goes off line. Due to the fault in the online system, the branch is facing difficulty in the payment to customers," he added. "The repair of the system would enable us to post the cheques and make payments to the customers," he further said.