KARACHI – Starting July 2025, withdrawing cash from an ATM that doesn’t belong to your bank just got more expensive. The fee per transaction has jumped from Rs23.44 to Rs35.00, and it’s already raising eyebrows — and frustration — among account holders across the country.
Several banks, including Meezan Bank and MCB Islamic Bank, have quietly updated their schedule of charges to reflect the change. The new fee applies only when you use an ATM that isn’t operated by your own bank — a common practice for many, especially in areas with limited branch access.
The increase is mostly being credited to the 1-Link network, which handles interbank ATM transactions, though a portion of the charge still goes to the bank that owns the ATM.
For people who live in rural towns or even crowded urban areas with fewer branches, this hike could hit hard. Many customers, especially daily wage earners and those on fixed incomes, tend to withdraw smaller amounts more frequently — and now, each withdrawal from a different bank’s ATM could chip away at their already tight budgets.
Banks claim the increased fee is necessary to cover maintenance and network operation costs, but not everyone is buying it. Critics argue this change couldn’t have come at a worse time — inflation is high, prices are up, and now, even accessing your own money costs more.
With rising utility bills and everyday expenses already straining wallets, this added charge feels like one more blow to people trying to get by.
