Pakistanis carried out more than Rs. 34 billion worth of digital payments for sacrificial animal purchases during Eid ul Azha 2026, as the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) nationwide Go Cashless campaign recorded a sharp rise in cashless transactions across cattle markets.
The initiative was implemented at 123 cattle markets nationwide, where over 481,000 digital transactions were processed through various electronic payment channels. The campaign nearly doubled its footprint compared to last year, when it covered 54 cattle markets.
To support the drive, 22 banks established camps and kiosks inside cattle markets, onboarding livestock sellers, transporters, and other service providers through biometric verification and issuing QR codes for digital payments. Mobile banking vans equipped with ATMs, cash counters, and cash deposit machines were also deployed at selected markets to provide on-site banking services.
SBP teams remained present at cattle markets around the clock to assist participating banks and resolve operational issues. The central bank also temporarily raised transaction limits between May 14 and June 5 to facilitate high-value livestock purchases. In addition, a nationwide awareness campaign across television, radio, print, and social media encouraged buyers and sellers to adopt digital payment methods.
According to SBP data, digital transactions surged from nearly 65,000 in 2025 to more than 481,000 this year. The total value of transactions increased more than sevenfold, rising from Rs. 4.6 billion last year to over Rs. 34 billion in 2026.
The campaign also helped bring thousands of livestock traders into the formal financial system, with around 12,500 new bank accounts opened for cattle farmers and related businesses.
The central bank said the results reflect growing trust in digital financial services and demonstrate accelerating adoption of cashless payments in traditionally cash-dominated sectors of the economy. The success of the initiative is expected to support wider use of digital payment solutions in seasonal and high-volume marketplaces across Pakistan.
