The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), along with 12 major banks, has started a new campaign called “Go Cashless” in Karachi. This campaign is meant to encourage people to use digital payments instead of cash and help move the country toward a cashless economy.
The campaign was officially launched by SBP Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah at a big shopping mall in Clifton. According to the SBP, this effort is part of their long-term plan to make financial services more accessible to everyone and to bring more transparency into the economy by promoting digital transactions.
Promoting Digital Payments Across Pakistan
Deputy Governor Saleem Ullah said that the “Go Cashless” campaign isn’t just a one-time event—it shows the State Bank’s strong commitment to moving Pakistan toward a digital economy.The campaign is meant for everyone, from small shopkeepers to big businesses, and encourages them to use digital payments instead of cash. It supports SBP’s goal of creating a “cash-lite” economy, where using digital transactions becomes a normal part of everyday life for all types of businesses.
Raast: Powering Pakistan’s Digital Financial Growth
Pakistan has seen remarkable progress in its digital financial infrastructure, driven largely by SBP’s instant payment system, Raast. Since its launch in 2021, Raast has processed over 892 million transactions, amounting to approximately Rs20 trillion ($72 billion).In the second quarter of fiscal year 2025, Raast facilitated 795.7 million transactions worth Rs6.4 trillion ($23.04 billion), reflecting the growing confidence of both consumers and businesses in digital platforms.
A Step Toward a Cash-Lite Future
The “Go Cashless” campaign is a crucial milestone in Pakistan’s digital transformation journey. It aims to raise public awareness, increase merchant adoption of digital tools, and build trust in secure electronic payments. The SBP, through this initiative, is laying the groundwork for a future where cash is no longer the default transaction method.Pakistani cuisineAs digital financial services continue to expand, the SBP encourages all stakeholders—including banks, fintechs, retailers, and consumers—to play an active role in supporting Pakistan’s move toward a digitally empowered economy.
