LAHORE, Oct 5: The automated teller machines (ATMs) at certain commercial banks in Lahore have not been dispensing cash since Sept 30 and retaining the cards instead.

Around a dozen account holders of five banks told this reporter by phone that they attempted withdrawing cash from ATM of Muslim Commercial Bank at Allama Iqbal Town’s Moon Market branch from Sept 30 to Oct 3 but the machine retained their cards instead.

During shopping at the Moon Market on Sept 30 evening, an account holder of National Bank run short of cash and attempted using the ATM.

“After waiting for more than 15 minutes or so, I approached the guard on duty there who told me that I will get back my card after 24 hours. I was asked to come after Eid holidays when I visited the bank on Oct 2.

A bank official told me on Saturday that I would get back my card on Oct 6,” said the account holder who wished not to be named.

Other account holders were of Allied Bank, Askari Commercial Bank and United Bank who had their cards stuck up in the ATMs.