Banks in Pakistan to receive Utility Bills via ATM from January-2007  
Pakistan Times National News Desk

KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) made it compulsory for all the scheduled banks to receive utility bills through ATM from January 31, 2007.

SBP has decided to offer facility of utility bills payment across ATM network in phases.

According to the Central Bank, this decision was taken after consulting banks and switch operators.

In the first phase by January 31, 2007, the bank will provide this service through their own ATMs and in the second phase utility bills can be paid through any 1 link and M. net.

The bank would be closely working with switch operators to finalise the plans. In this connection, both the switch operators have already provided the operational and technical requirements to their respective member banks, SBP stated.

SBP also asked the banks to keep it informed about their plan to be ready to launch the service of utility bill payments on own ATMs at the earliest.●