UPPER DIR, March 15: The residents of Upper Dir district have demanded early installation of automated teller machines (ATMs) at local branches of banks.

Six commercial banks have branches in Dir, the district headquarters of Upper Dir, but they have no ATM, stressing out visitors, mostly members of the salaried class.

Cash withdrawal become stressful for them, especially during the early days of the month.

Tourists, too, have complained about unavailability of ATM service in the district.

Murtaza Khan, a contractor, said he had opened accounts in local branches of three banks but faced problems in getting money from them in emergency.

“We can’t withdraw money from our accounts after banks close at 5pm or on weekends. It appears as if I am not part of this modern world,” he said.

The contractor said unavailability of ATM facility negatively affected his business and personal life.

He said the situation had forced the people to run from pillar to post for money, especially in emergency. He added that installation of ATMs in banks in the district was the need of the hour.

Ayub Khan, a tourist from Rawalpindi, said he had come to the town for sightseeing.

“I want to stay here for a week to see all picturesque locations but have to return as there’s no ATM in the entire town. I do have ATM card but it’s of no use here,” he said.

A local manager of a bank said the required procedure for installation of an ATM by his bank in the district had been completed.

“We’ve identified a place and requested Wapda for installation of an electricity transformer to operate the ATM. We’re hopeful that the machine will be functional soon,” he said.

Local residents and demanded early installation of ATMs by all national banks.

Meanwhile, local residents complained that shopkeepers and transporters overcharged them without let or hindrance.

They made the complaint during a press forum organised by Public Safety and Justice Committee at Dir Press Club.

Sohail, a resident of Jabar, said shopkeepers in Jabar, Tarpatar and Palam had been fleeing customers.

“They violate the official price list but the administration is unwilling to act against them,” he said.

Shakirullah and Bakth Maula, local residents, complained of the ban on the movement of timber out of the district and said the situation had led to the smuggling of the wood.They demanded that the people be allowed to transport timber for personal use.

Salim Jogazai of DTCE, Islamabad, said his organisation had launched a campaign in the district to raise awareness among the people of their rights.

“We want to settle the people’s disputes by reconciliatory jirgas,” he said.