Active digital payment merchants have reached 2.03 million, surpassing the government’s June 2026 target amid efforts to expand Raast QR adoption and financial inclusion.
Pakistan has recorded a major increase in the number of merchants actively using digital payment services, with the figure reaching 2.03 million, State Minister for Finance Bilal Azhar Kiyani said on Thursday.
The latest figure represents a sharp rise from around 0.5 million active digital payment merchants previously. It has also enabled the government to exceed its target of reaching 2 million merchants by June 2026.
Speaking during a meeting with a high-level delegation from the Gates Foundation, Kiyani linked the growth to government measures designed to encourage the adoption of digital payments across the country.
Among the initiatives, he highlighted a PKR 3.5 billion government subsidy for Raast QR, which has supported greater merchant adoption and contributed to changing payment behaviour.
The Gates Foundation delegation included Dr Anita Zaidi, President of the Gender Equality Division, Dr Kalpana Kochhar, Interim President of the Global Policy & Advocacy Division, and other senior officials.
The meeting focused on Pakistan’s progress in digital transformation, particularly developments under the Cashless Pakistan initiative being implemented under the direct supervision of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.
Kiyani briefed the delegation on the expansion of digital transactions, the growing number of digital banking users and improvements in financial inclusion. He also pointed to progress in reducing the gender gap in access to financial services.
The minister said the government remained focused on increasing transparency and efficiency in public payments through greater digitisation.
The Gates Foundation delegation acknowledged the progress made under the Cashless Pakistan initiative and expressed support for continued efforts to digitise the country’s economy. The foundation also reaffirmed its support through Karandaaz.
Beyond digital payments, Kiyani discussed the government’s wider economic reform programme, stressing the importance of documenting and formalising economic activity to improve fiscal sustainability.
He also highlighted the newly introduced Asaan Tax Scheme for small traders, which aims to encourage voluntary registration and bring more businesses into the formal economy through incentives rather than relying solely on enforcement.
The government is now targeting further expansion of merchant onboarding, greater digitisation of government payments and an improved user experience for digital transactions during the current fiscal year.
Kiyani welcomed continued cooperation with the Gates Foundation and indicated that a broader strategic partnership could further support Pakistan’s development and digital transformation agenda.