Supported by both the European Union and the German Government, the initiative aims to digitize payments for millions of low-income families across Pakistan.
The event, titled “Transition to Cashless Economy: BISP Mobile Wallets Payment Model”, brought together senior government officials, financial regulators, telecom executives, and development partners. Transformative potential of social protection wallets was the key focus of the discussions. Digital wallet—a tool that will offer direct and dignified financial support, especially to women beneficiaries.
Minister of State for Finance and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit Bilal Azhar Kayani, BISP Chairperson Senator Rubina Khalid, and BISP Secretary Aamer Ali Ahmad were among the key attendees.
The strategic importance of the model was stressed by Kayani:
“This is not just a policy intervention—it’s a national priority.”
To prove the system’s efficiency, transparency, and dignity, Kayani highlighted the success of distributing the PM s Ramzan Package via mobile wallets.
Senator Rubina Khalid emphasized BISP’s commitment to women’s financial empowerment. She further announced that on August 14 a pilot for direct bank account opening would begin. She also underscored the significance of recognizing female heads of households via CNIC-based verification and called it a “game-changing safeguard” for inclusion.
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She added, “Every woman must have the right to choose her preferred bank and receive payments through secure biometric verification.”
“A leap toward financial inclusion,” was used to describe the mobile wallets by BISP Secretary Ameer Ali Ahmad. He emphasized that these tools represent mobility, dignity, and economic freedom for women. He called on stakeholders to accelerate digital and financial literacy so that no one is left behind in the transition.
The main presentations, discussing innovations, operational challenges, and strategies to strengthen the rollout under the social protection framework, were followed by a panel session featuring representatives from the banking, telecom, and development sectors.
The BISP mobile payment initiative aligns with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s June directives to promote digital transactions and establish digital infrastructure across Pakistan, along with other broader government efforts to promote financial literacy.
The model’s capability was confirmed in earlier trials such as the Ramadan Relief Package rollout, in which over 950,000 payments were processed via digital wallets in a single day. More than 823,000 women benefitted with transparency and dignity.
This move positions Pakistan at the forefront of digital transformation in social welfare delivery—paving the way for more efficient, respectful, and inclusive support systems for the country’s most vulnerable.
