KARACHI: Pakistan on Saturday pitched its digital finance and fintech reforms to foreign investors as part of a broader effort to attract capital after macroeconomic stabilization, with a senior official highlighting progress on digital banking, payments infrastructure and regulatory overhaul.
The outreach came as Islamabad seeks to sustain reform momentum following a period of economic stress, positioning technology-led financial inclusion as a pillar of its recovery and growth strategy while courting international investors.
Khurram Schehzad, adviser to the finance minister, briefed a delegation of international fintech investors on Pakistan’s reform agenda and digital growth plans at a meeting in federal capital, according to a statement from the finance ministry.
“Consistent policy implementation and structural reforms have strengthened macroeconomic fundamentals and improved Pakistan’s investment outlook,” he said, highlighting the “renewed global confidence” in the economy.
Officials said the discussions focused on the government’s Digital Pakistan Vision, including efforts to expand digital payments, build public digital infrastructure and digitize government transactions to widen financial inclusion and formalize the economy.
Schehzad cited the role of Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system, which enables real-time, low-cost and interoperable digital payments nationwide, as well as regulatory reforms introduced by the State Bank of Pakistan to modernize retail digital banking.
Under the new framework, easypaisa Digital Bank has been operational for nearly a year, while Mashreq Digital Bank has also begun operations, with several other digital banks moving toward launch, the statement said.
The adviser also outlined Pakistan’s plans to develop a regulatory framework for blockchain, Web3.0 and virtual assets, saying authorities were engaging with global platforms to support innovation while ensuring compliance and investor protection.
The investor delegation was led by John Sfakianakis, chairman of Fintech Solutions Holding, alongside the company’s chief executive Kirill Smolin, and was facilitated by local technology firm Tech Avenue.
The investors welcomed the “clarity of reforms and policy direction,” saying Pakistan’s combination of macroeconomic stabilization, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies offered opportunities for long-term investment and strategic partnerships, the finance ministry said.
