Pakistan digital banking and payment landscape

The digital banking sector in Pakistan is undergoing significant expansion and operational shifts. In late September 2026, easypaisa digital bank and smartphone manufacturer Transsion announced a strategic partnership to expand financial services. This collaboration involves pre-installing the easypaisa app on over five million Transsion-branded devices, such as Infinix, TECNO, and itel, to improve accessibility for unbanked populations.

By early October 2026, data from the State Bank of Pakistan revealed a massive shift toward electronic finance. For fiscal year 2025–26, digital channels accounted for 92% of all retail settlement transactions. Total retail volume through formal banking channels reached 14.3 billion transactions, valued at PKR 673 trillion, representing a 58% increase in volume over the previous year. Mobile-based solutions were the primary driver, recording 11.1 billion transactions, a 79% year-on-year growth.

Despite this growth, the sector faced operational disruptions. Transactions involving Easypaisa and several intermediaries—including SWICH, Simpaisa, ajarPay, RapidPay, Zero Technologies, and Finza Tech—experienced delays, specifically affecting merchant payments and settlements. International processor dLocal also reported issues involving Easypaisa.

These technical challenges coincide with increased regulatory and law enforcement scrutiny. The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a new framework to oversee payment intermediaries, as authorities investigate the use of digital channels for illicit activities like unauthorized transfers and illegal online gaming.