The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has been directed by the government to take necessary measures for making the banking system, especially the automated teller machines (ATMs), accessible to the blind and visually-impaired people.
According to a government official, the effort is aimed at enabling thousands of visually-impaired Pakistanis to take control of their banking transactions without depending on strangers while using the ATMs.
Finance Minister Asad Umar has asked the SBP to direct commercial banks to make their respective banking facilities accessible for people with disabilities.
The development came following a letter written by Suleman Arshad – the vice president of PTI’s Persons with Disabilities (PWDs) wing – to the Minister for Human Rights Dr Shireen Mazari regarding difficulties being faced by PWDs while using ATMs.
The human rights minister forwarded the letter to the finance minister who in return asked the SBP to take necessary steps to ensure accessible banking facilities for the visually-impaired persons.
