World's highest ATM on Khunjarab pass where one has to pass through the clouds to reach The World’s Highest ATM Is In Khunjerab Pass, Pakistan

"We are going to where the Pakistan border ends," I told my children who were busy putting on jackets over their clothes. Showing the geographical curiosity of a first-grader, he asked, 'Should we go up or down?'

"Up" I replied.

We were on our way to the world's tallest 'Cash Machine' (i.e. ATM) located on the Khunjrab Pass border between China and Pakistan in the northern province of Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. I wanted to show my children the beautiful tourist places of Pakistan. At a staggering height of 4693 meters, this pass is the world's most difficult border crossing and can only be reached through some of the world's most dramatic drives. The road between the snow-capped peaks of the Karakoram passes through Khunjrab National Park, where apart from Pakistan's national animal, the Markhor, snow leopards can also be seen. Our journey started from our home in the coastal city of Karachi, Pakistan, and included a flight, train, and over six hours to Gilgit city. The road to Khunjerab Pass is in good condition and paved and hence quite easy to drive. The car we rented for this trip was quiet enough for our needs But this altitude makes traveling a challenge. During the 2000 km climb, our local driver and tour guide instructed us to take dried apricots from the nearby Hunza Valley and put them under our tongues to avoid altitude sickness. Layered up and down, we braced ourselves for the rapidly changing weather, which can drop to minus five degrees Celsius even in summer, along with the risk of sunburn from freezing winds. Lives. However, by the time we reached the border, the sun had already set, making my children's cheeks red as tomatoes. This is a very beautiful valley. Locals describe it as an area with only sky above and clouds below. Then why is there an ATM in the middle of this remote hilly area? Built by the National Bank of Pakistan in 2016, the solar-powered and wind-powered ATM machine is serving residents, border guards, and tourists around the border crossing.

Built by the National Bank of Pakistan in 2016, the solar-powered and wind-powered ATM machine is serving residents, border guards, and tourists around the border crossing. This Guinness World Record holder ATM works just like any other ATM. It can be used to withdraw cash, pay utility bills and make interbank fund transfers. But while my children and I were suffering from lack of oxygen at such a high altitude, what struck me most was the unexpected festival-like vibrancy in the atmosphere: it felt like a party was taking place as people FaceTimed relatives. doing, posing for pictures and circling the ATM to get the perfect selfie. Atiya Saeed, a school teacher in Karachi, brought 39 students from her school to the Pakistan-China border here. He said that after a long time we have traveled inside Pakistan. Although she didn't come just for the ATMs, she said the lessons on the border's beautiful geography, history, and economics were important. Built by the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) in 2016, this solar and wind-powered ATM machine is serving a limited number of border guards and residents around the border crossing. Tourists consider it a privilege to visit this ATM, and take pictures of withdrawals that give new meaning to the phrase 'cold hard cash.

The world's tallest cash machine is located at the Khunjarab Pass border between China and Pakistan

Ayesha Bayat, a retired principal from South Africa, who was on holiday with her husband, joked, 'My account is frozen.' 'We come from a country where we also have mountain ranges. . But there is nothing like that. I am seeing beautiful sights. Bayat's husband Farooq said, "It is important to have historical landmarks like the Eiffel Tower." It becomes an excuse to see the rest of the area. But building this landmark was no small feat. It is challenging to keep active. Shah Bibi, the officer in charge of this ATM, said that it took about four months to complete the project. The nearest NBP bank is at Sost which is 87 km from here. Zahid Hussain, manager of the Post branch, regularly treks up to this hilltop ATM, braving harsh weather, difficult mountain passes, and frequent landslides to fill it with money. He said that on average, around 40-50 lakh rupees are withdrawn from here within 15 days.

The Guinness World Records ATM works like any other

Meanwhile, BB monitors real-time data and provides it to the slow branch. They also have to deal with emergencies related to satellite connectivity, solar power backup, cash withdrawals, and stranded cards (last year strong winds temporarily shut down ATMs)"It takes about two to two-and-a-half hours for a person on the ground to reach an ATM and repair it," said Bibi. Some question the usefulness of an ATM in such a remote location. But Hussain says, "We forget about the people who guard our borders 24/7." They may be small in number, but they live in a large park and have no other means of transferring their salaries to their loved ones and families.'

The Lost Branch Manager regularly travels to the border braving harsh weather, difficult mountain passes, and frequent landslides to fill the ATMs built-in Khunjarab with cash. In the last few hours, I have given oxygen to three women," Bakhtawar told me. It was seven yesterday. They say that if you have eaten an oily or heavy meal before climbing, it will worsen your condition. He also noticed that a major problem for tourists is getting their card stuck, although he estimated that like any other ATM, it either happens very often or rarely the card gets stuck, then you have to wait at least two hours in severe weather here or come back again the next day."It's not an easy journey to get it back," Bakhtawar said with a smile, quietly acknowledging how high we were at the moment. However, for bank manager Zahid, it is part of his passion for work at the Khanjarab Pass ATM. Knowing the importance of his work and despite the intense pressure in this regard, he says, "I feel fortunate to be a part of the paradigm shift of technology built on these magnificent natural landscapes.".