Pakistan is set to launch its first domestic credit card scheme in a major step toward strengthening the country’s digital financial ecosystem and reducing dependence on international payment networks such as Visa and Mastercard.
The initiative is being developed by 1LINK in collaboration with the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and is expected to keep transaction processing within the country, helping reduce foreign exchange outflows while expanding access to credit services.
Speaking at the 19th Mobile Commerce Conference in Karachi, 1LINK CEO Najeeb Agrawalla said the local credit card program, issued under the PayPak framework, could bring a significant transformation to Pakistan’s banking sector.
He added that it would promote financial inclusion, improve credit accessibility, and strengthen Pakistan’s indigenous payment infrastructure.
Agrawalla said the PayPak credit card would be accepted nationwide and could also support international transactions, while remaining fully managed within Pakistan.
He noted that the scheme would enable smaller banks, previously constrained by high infrastructure costs, to issue credit cards through a flexible and scalable model.
He further highlighted that PayPak, launched in 2016 as Pakistan’s domestic payment scheme, has already become the country’s 28th national card network model globally. Its usage has steadily grown across government payments, retail purchases, online shopping, and e-commerce platforms.
According to 1LINK, PayPak currently holds a 28% share of the local card market, with over 16.1 million cards in circulation, reflecting increasing consumer trust and steady expansion over the past decade.
