The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) is working to strengthen Pakistan’s digital financial system by improving regulation, expanding financial access and promoting digital services that can support real economic activity, Deputy Governor Muhammad Ali Khan said on Wednesday.
Speaking as the chief guest at the fourth Pakistan Fintech Forum in Karachi, Ali said the central bank’s goal goes beyond increasing digital financial access. He said building public trust, ensuring accountability and creating effective regulation are equally important for the growth of digital finance.
The forum was organized by the Pakistan Fintech Network under the theme “Building the Financial Future: Scale, Trust & Inclusion.” It brought together policymakers and representatives from the financial and technology sectors to discuss the future direction of Pakistan’s digital finance industry.
Key discussions focused on digital banking, access to credit, digital payments, financial inclusion, regulation, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies. Participants also discussed how better use of financial data and stronger digital infrastructure could help bring more people into the formal financial system while improving consumer confidence.
Pakistan Fintech Network Chairman Syed Nadeem Hussain said the industry had moved past the initial stage of simply increasing digital adoption. He said the next challenge was to develop a fintech ecosystem that can grow sustainably while supporting wider financial inclusion.
Hussain also called for clearer regulations, stronger digital infrastructure and closer cooperation between banks and fintech companies to expand access to credit and deliver financial services to a larger customer base.
The event was attended by senior officials from the State Bank, Pakistan Digital Authority, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority and Raast Payments Pakistan, along with executives from the banking, fintech, payments, technology and investment sectors.
Speakers included SECP Commissioner Imtiaz Haider, Pakistan Digital Authority Chairperson Dr. Sohail Munir, PVARA Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib and Raast Payments Pakistan CEO Ahson Saeed.
