Mobile app-based payments remained the backbone of Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem during the second quarter of FY26, accounting for the majority of transactions.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest Quarterly Payment Systems Review, a total of 2.6 billion transactions were conducted عبر mobile apps offered by branchless banking providers, banks, and electronic money institutions (EMIs). These transactions made up 62 percent of all digital payment activity and were valued at Rs. 40 trillion.
The widespread use of apps supported a range of financial services, including person-to-person transfers, bill payments, and merchant payments عبر both online platforms and physical retail outlets.
Overall, digital payments continued to expand, reaching 3.1 billion transactions with a total value of Rs. 64 trillion, reflecting growing adoption across the economy.
Internet banking also showed steady growth, with transaction volume increasing by 11 percent and value rising by 22 percent خلال the quarter.
The number of payment cards in circulation climbed to 66.7 million. Debit cards dominated with an 87 percent share, while credit cards accounted for 5 percent.
The Raast instant payment system maintained strong growth, processing 645.7 million transactions worth Rs. 18.5 trillion. Person-to-person (P2P) transfers led activity with 603 million transactions valued at Rs. 15.7 trillion, up 13 percent. Person-to-merchant (P2M) transactions reached 33.6 million, totaling Rs. 167.6 billion.
Card-based payments through point-of-sale terminals and e-commerce channels also expanded, averaging around 1.7 million transactions per day.
Meanwhile, Pakistan’s ATM network—comprising 20,976 machines—handled 277 million transactions amounting to Rs. 4.9 trillion خلال the quarter.
Over-the-counter banking services remained significant, with 20,143 bank branches and 763,262 agents facilitating transactions such as deposits, withdrawals, transfers, and bill payments. Bank branches processed 138 million transactions worth Rs. 102 trillion, while agents handled 135 million transactions totaling Rs. 0.9 trillion.
