Pakistan, a country with a rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and history, offers a journey through bustling cities, ancient ruins, and breath-taking natural beauty. From the vibrant streets of Lahore and the historic fortresses of Multan to the serene valleys of Hunza and the majestic peaks of the Karakoram Range, it is a land of contrasts and surprises. Navigating this diverse country requires an understanding of the local cash and ATM in Pakistan along with the accepted payment options. This guide will provide you with the financial insights needed to explore Pakistan’s rich heritage and stunning landscapes with ease and confidence, ensuring a journey filled with discovery and wonder.
You may also enjoy reading Ultimate guide on how to travel on a budget in 2025.
Where can I find ATMs in Pakistan?
Pakistan has over 4,500 ATMs, primarily located in cities with a few available in larger towns.
You can find ATMs at:
- Important airports,
- Market and town squares,
- Bustling streets of popular tourist destinations,
- Shopping malls,
- Food lanes,
- Bank branches,
- Several corporate buildings.
It will be difficult to find ATMs in:
- Smaller airports,
- Regional bus stops,
- Village interiors,
- Small towns,
- Places of worship,
- Secluded getaways.
Best ATMs to use in Pakistan for foreigners
The best ATMs for foreigners to use in Pakistan are those owned by popular banks such as:
Habib Bank,
Meezan Bank,
Bank Alfalah,
MCB Bank,
Faysal Bank, and
Allied Bank.
In addition to local banks, several international banks also operate ATMs in Pakistan.
These include Standard Chartered and HSBC.
Don’t accept conversion at ATMs and withdraw only in local currency
In Pakistan, some ATMs may ask – Accept OR Decline Conversion (also known as With or Without Conversion, or Charge in PKR).
- If you ‘Accept’ – ATM converts your money at ATM’s set exchange rate and you pay an extra % fee to the ATM for currency conversion also.
- If you ‘Decline’ – ATM will convert at exchange rate of the bank/card logo (Visa, Master, etc.).
So, to avoid extra fees while withdrawing cash in Pakistan, select ‘Decline/Without’ Conversion or ‘Charge in PKR’.
If you’d like to understand more, read ATM fees abroad: Charges to use cards at foreign ATMs explained.
Can I use a foreign debit or credit card at an ATM in Pakistan?
Yes, many foreign debit and credit cards are widely accepted at ATMs in Pakistan. ATMs commonly accept Visa and Mastercards. Some of them also accept Plus and Cirrus cards. Only some accept American Express, Diners, Discover cards. Others like CUP, JCB, Maestro or Rupay cards are usually not accepted.
For a detailed guide, read Money and Currency in Pakistan.
What are the ATM opening hours?
ATMs – In most cases, yes, they are open around the clock, every day of the year 24×7. You should have no trouble getting to any of them at any hour of the day or night because many of them are self-contained ATMs. Depending on the location, some bank branches may only be open from 9 am to 3 pm.
What do they call ATMs in Pakistan?
The term ‘ATM’ is used around the ATM machine.
PIN type
Typically, 4-digit PINs are accepted for ATM transactions. Merchant Card Requirements: Both magnetic stripe cards and chip-and-PIN cards are accepted for your convenience.
Languages at ATMs in Pakistan
By default, ATMs in Pakistan offer two language options: Urdu and English. It’s fine if you don’t understand these languages. Use the camera function of Google Translate and translate the ATM screen on your phone. Please note that these translations may not always be 100% accurate. It is important to take your time and not rush through the transaction.
Do ATMs in Pakistan work similarly as other countries?
Yes, they are quite similar to ATMs in other countries. The ATMs are sleek and operate similar to those in the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and India. Remember to take your card after withdrawing cash in Pakistan from the ATMs.
Join the discussion, read and share cash related travel experiences on ATM Fee Saver’s Community Travel Forum at Money & Travel in Asia.
What currencies can I withdraw from ATMs in Pakistan?
ATMs in Pakistan dispense only the official currency Pakistani Rupee (PKR).
ATM withdrawal limits in Pakistan?
ATMs in Pakistan have varying maximum withdrawal limits per transaction from PKR 10,000 to PKR 200,000 – with the most common being PKR 50,000 (Pakistani Rupee). Some bank ATMs impose daily withdrawal limits also.
ATM Fees in Pakistan?
There are no fee-free ATMs in Pakistan. Bank ATMs in Pakistan typically charge between PKR 600 to PKR 1,000 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders (Pakistani Rupee). One bank charges 4% of the withdrawal amount as ATM fees.
Apart from ATM Access Fees, there can be other potential charges to withdraw cash in Pakistan – something every traveller handling cash in Pakistan should be aware of. These are:
- Currency Conversion Fees (Accept or Decline Conversion)
- Your Bank’s currency conversion fee – Some banks charge the card holder a fee to use the card abroad. Cross check with your bank on what the charges are.
How to avoid high fees when withdrawing cash in Pakistan?
- Use the fee-free or lower fee ATMs in the country.
- Use the ATM Fee Saver app to find fee-free or low-fee ATMs.
- Opt for “Decline Conversion” or “Without Conversion” during ATM transactions.
- Consider getting a fee-free travel card from your home country.
- Get one Visa and one Mastercard fee-free cards as some ATMs abroad accept only Visa and some only Mastercard.
- Avoid using ATMs at the airports, sometimes they have higher fees.
For a detailed guide, read Withdrawing cash abroad? 9 best ways to save foreign ATM fees.
Ways to find fee-free ATMs in Pakistan?
Discover fee-free and low-fee ATMs on the ATM Fee Saver mobile app for iOS and Android. This app provides ATM PINs and details of leading bank ATMs such as ATM fees and withdrawal limits for foreign cardholders at ATMs in Pakistan. Moreover, its simple fee calculator helps you determine exact withdrawal charges. You can also find cash tips and tricks on the app for 160+ countries including Pakistan.
Download now from the App Store or Play Store.
Download ATM Fee Saver now.
Is it safe to use Pakistan ATMs?
In Chile, ATM safety varies based on location, time, and surrounding people. Muggings for cash may happen especially at night and in isolated areas.
To be safe, use precautions such as:
- Use the ATMs located inside bank branches instead of standalone ones.
- Avoid using ATMs on empty streets or late at night.
- Keep your card visible at all times.
- Cover the PIN pad with the palm of your hand to avoid revealing your PIN to hidden cameras.
- If you find any suspicious devices attached around the keypad area of the ATM, do not use the ATM.
- Be aware of your surroundings, if you see suspicious people, move away.
- Keep two or more cards as backup.
- If also using your mobile phone for the transaction, avoid using public Wi-Fi. Use VPN for extra protection.
Frequently Asked Questions
What to do if an ATM takes your card?
If an ATM in Pakistan takes your card, contact the bank (if you used an ATM inside a bank branch), they may retreive your card if you have proof of identity. You can also contact the bank’s helpline but they usually retreive and resend new cards only for their own customers. If so, you’ll need to contact your own bank and ask them to deliver a new card at home or abroad.
Fee-free ATMs and possible to withdraw cash free of cost at ATMs here?
No, its not possible. There are no fee-free ATMs in Pakistan. Bank ATMs in Pakistan typically charge between PKR 600 to PKR 1,000 per transaction as ATM Access Fees to foreign card holders (Pakistani Rupee). One bank charges 4% of the withdrawal amount as ATM fees.
Foreign cards from US, UK, India, China, Europe, Australia accepted at ATMs in Pakistan?
Yes. Cards from the US, UK, Europe, Australia, and other countries are generally accepted at ATMs in Pakistan.
Bitcoin ATMs?
Pakistan does not currently have any Bitcoin ATMs.
Foreign bank ATMs’ in Pakistan
Bank of America: Bank of America ATMs are not available in Pakistan.
Citibank: None.
Barclays: Barclays ATMs are not available in Pakistan.
HSBC: HSBC ATMs are not available in Pakistan.
Standard Chartered: Pakistan has several Standard Chartered ATMs available.
