Imagine a Pakistan where you can pay for anything – your local grocery, your cab ride, or your small business supplies – without cash, seamlessly, instantly, and securely. That vision is closer than ever, thanks to a bold partnership between Visa and 1Link, Pakistan’s largest payment service provider.
Their goal? To increase the number of businesses accepting digital payments tenfold within the next three years.
This isn’t just convenience; it’s transformation. It’s about giving businesses, large and small, the tools to thrive in a digital economy – and millions of Pakistanis a safer, faster way to transact.
Digital Payments on the Rise
The numbers speak volumes. According to the State Bank of Pakistan, digital transactions rose 35% in FY24, growing from 4.7 billion to 6.4 billion transactions, with a total value jumping from PKR 403 trillion to PKR 547 trillion.
Mobile banking apps, internet banking, and e-wallets are driving this surge, but the full potential has yet to be unlocked.
Visa and 1Link aim to fill that gap, expanding digital payment infrastructure nationwide, including smaller merchants and businesses beyond major cities.
Think of this as turning every phone and every point-of-sale terminal into a gateway for seamless payments, empowering even the smallest business to participate in the digital economy.
Empowering Businesses, Big and Small
Small and medium enterprises (SMEs) form the backbone of Pakistan’s economy. Yet, many are still tied to cash-based operations, missing out on efficiency, security, and growth opportunities. By making digital payments accessible and affordable, this partnership gives SMEs the chance to modernize operations, reach new customers, and receive payments faster.
This initiative doesn’t just support businesses – it drives financial inclusion, aligning with Pakistan’s $7 billion IMF-backed reforms, which aim to create a documented, transparent, and resilient economy.
Strengthening Remittances and Economic Reform
Remittances from overseas Pakistanis account for a significant portion of foreign exchange. Streamlining these payments is more than convenience – it’s national impact. The Visa–1Link initiative ensures faster, safer, and more traceable remittance flows, allowing millions of families to receive funds securely while boosting Pakistan’s economic stability.
The Road Ahead
This partnership isn’t just about transactions; it’s about transformation. By dramatically increasing digital payment adoption, streamlining remittances, and modernizing financial infrastructure, Pakistan is taking a major step toward a truly digital economy.
For businesses: Modern payment options unlock growth opportunities and operational efficiency
For consumers: Transactions become instant, secure, and convenient.
For the economy: Pakistan moves closer to a digitally empowered, globally competitive market.
Visa and 1Link’s vision is clear: turn every phone into a payment gateway, enable nationwide participation, and supercharge Pakistan’s digital economy.
Pakistan’s digital payments revolution is here – and it’s only just beginning.
