The State Bank of Pakistan has released its quarterly review of payment systems for January to March 2026, showing continued growth in digital payments through formal banking and payment channels. The report says 3.7 billion retail payments worth PKR 168.8 trillion were processed during the quarter, with transaction volumes up 9 percent from the previous quarter. Digital channels accounted for 92 percent of all retail payments. Digital payment volumes reached 3.4 billion transactions worth PKR 68 trillion. Mobile app-based payments remained the dominant channel, with 2.9 billion transactions worth PKR 42 trillion, equal to 78 percent of all digital payments, spanning person-to-person transfers, bill payments and merchant payments. Internet banking volumes rose 5 percent and values rose 19 percent. Raast processed 742.1 million transactions worth PKR 23.3 trillion, including 664 million person-to-person transactions worth PKR 18.9 trillion, up 10 percent, while person-to-merchant transactions increased to 55.9 million from 36.3 million in the previous quarter. The report also shows continued use of over-the-counter services. A network of 20,232 bank branches and 819,397 banking agents handled cash deposits, withdrawals, fund transfers and bill payments, with branches processing 128 million transactions worth PKR 99.5 trillion and agents facilitating 155 million transactions worth PKR 1.1 trillion.
State Bank of Pakistan2026-06-25
State Bank of Pakistan reports 3.7 billion retail payments in Q3 FY26 with 92 percent conducted digitally
The State Bank of Pakistan’s quarterly payment systems review for January to March 2026 shows 3.7 billion retail payments worth PKR 168.8 trillion, with 92 percent of transactions made through digital channels. Mobile apps remained the main digital channel, while Raast processed 742.1 million transactions worth PKR 23.3 trillion. Over-the-counter services also remained active through bank branches and banking agents.