KARACHI: BankIslami Pakistan Limited introduced on Tuesday what it calls the country’s first cardless ATM service, in an attempt to spread financial inclusion.

In a ceremony held at the bank’s head office in this regard, SBP Deputy Governor Saeed Ahmad said the biometric-enabled ATMs would help attract common man’s attention to the financial sector.

Citing the advantages of biometric systems over conventional identification methods, he said unlettered customers can also withdraw money easily with the help of thumb print.

“Given the low literacy rate of the country, banks are trying to introduce ways to make themselves more accessible to the masses. And the BankIslami’s move is a step in the right direction,” the SBP’s deputy governor said.

“The move has negated the notion that Islamic banks are always the followers, and not the leaders,” he said, adding that the technology is likely to revolutionise the banking industry of Pakistan.

The bank’s IT head, Asad Alim, said the service is secure and also convenient to use for customers in both urban and rural areas.

“Biometric ATMs will help customers avoid fraud and duplication,” he said.

Cardless ATMs are available across the bank’s nationwide network of 201 branches in 77 cities.