KARACHI: In a major milestone for the country’s financial ecosystem, Pakistan’s digital banking user base has soared to 135 million, comfortably exceeding the initial target of 120 million.
This landmark achievement was highlighted during the Pakistan Banking Summit 2026 (PBS’26), the premier annual flagship event hosted by the Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) in Karachi.
Verifiable Progress: Translating Goals into Results
Addressing the summit, Bilal Azhar Kayani, Minister of State for Finance & Railways and Head of the Prime Minister’s Delivery Unit, emphasized that the rapid pace of financial digitalization is not just about raw projections, but sustained, verifiable progress.
The Minister of State made it clear that the federal government’s digitization policies are being continuously tracked, challenged, and independently verified by a third party. This rigorous oversight ensures that institutional reporting remains highly accurate and reliable, transforming ambitious policy goals into concrete, auditable outcomes.
“A future we can bank on requires transparent, verifiable metrics. By ensuring third-party validation of our digital growth, we are building a robust financial system that holds up under scrutiny.”
High-Level Endorsement from Pakistan’s Banking Leadership
The massive surge in digital adoption reflects the successful collaboration between the government, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), and the country’s banking sector.
Key figures supporting the ongoing digital transition include top executives from the Pakistan Banks Association:
- Zafar Masud (Chairman, PBA / President & CEO, Bank of Punjab)
- Nassir Salim (President & CEO, HBL)
- Yousaf Hussain (President & CEO, Faysal Bank)
- Basir Shamsie (President & CEO, JS Bank)
- Atif Bajwa (Chairman, PBS Steering Committee / President & CEO, Bank Alfalah)
- Muneer Kamal (CEO & Secretary General, PBA)
A United Front Across Financial Institutions
A broad coalition of commercial, Islamic, investment, and microfinance institutions participated in the summit, reaffirming their commitment to building a cashless and financially inclusive Pakistan:
| Category | Participating Institutions |
| Commercial & Islamic Banks | Askari Bank, Bank Alfalah, JS Bank, MCB Islamic Bank, Meezan Bank, Samba Bank, Sindh Bank |
| Specialized & Development Finance | Zarai Taraqiati Bank Limited (ZTBL), House Building Finance Company (HBFC), Pak Oman Investment Company, Pakistan Kuwait Investment Company |
| Microfinance Providers | NRSP Microfinance Bank, ASA Microfinance Bank, U Microfinance Bank |
| International Entities | Deutsche Bank, Mashreq |
The expansion of digital banking is projected to continue its upward trajectory as the government and commercial partners scale up digital infrastructure, expand retail payment options, and promote secure, accessible mobile banking across underserved rural regions.
