State Bank of Pakistan’s instant payment system reflects growing trust in digital financial tools.
Key Takeaways:
i) Pakistan’s instant digital payment system, Raast, has processed over 892 million transactions, exceeding PKR 20 trillion in value since its launch.
ii) In the second quarter of 2025 alone, Raast facilitated 795.7 million transactions worth PKR 6.4 trillion.
iii) The overall digital transactions in Pakistan witnessed a 35 percent increase in Fiscal Year 2024, showing a strong shift towards e-payments.
Karachi, Pakistan – Pakistan’s digital payment landscape is experiencing rapid growth, highlighted by the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Raast system achieving a significant milestone. Since its inception, Raast, the country’s first instant digital payment system, has processed 892 million transactions, totaling over PKR 20 trillion.
During Pakistan Financial Literacy Week (PFLW) 2025, the SBP launched the “Go Cashless” campaign in Karachi, aiming to further promote the adoption of digital payments across the nation. This initiative underscores the central bank’s commitment to transitioning Pakistan towards a cashless and digitally-driven economy.
The SBP views the 35 percent rise in overall digital transactions in FY 2024 as a positive indicator that initiatives like Raast and Go Cashless are effectively encouraging financial inclusion across all economic sectors.
Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah, speaking at the event, emphasized the increasing reliance on electronic payments, noting that Raast processed 795.7 million transactions valued at PKR 6.4 trillion in the second quarter of 2025 alone. The SBP views the 35 percent rise in overall digital transactions in FY 2024 as a positive indicator that initiatives like Raast and Go Cashless are effectively encouraging financial inclusion across all economic sectors.
The “Go Cashless” campaign seeks to encourage all levels of commerce to move away from physical cash, fostering a secure, inclusive, and technologically efficient cash-lite economy for Pakistan. This aligns with the broader goals of Pakistan Financial Literacy Week (PFLW), an annual initiative by the State Bank of Pakistan to promote financial awareness and inclusion across diverse segments of society
