In fiscal year 2025, Pakistan witnessed a historic transformation in its digital commerce landscape, with 93% of all online purchases made through e-wallets or account-based payments. This dramatic shift reflects the growing dominance of mobile banking apps, branchless banking, and digital wallets across the country’s financial ecosystem.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan’s latest report, nearly 684 million e-commerce transactions were processed using digital wallets, while only around 52 million were completed via traditional debit or credit cards. Retail payment activity also saw a sharp rise, reaching 9.1 billion transactions worth PKR 612 trillion — a year-on-year growth of 38% in volume and 12% in value.
Digital payment channels now account for 88% of all retail transactions by volume, compared to 78% in FY23 and 85% in FY24. Debit cards remain the most used physical payment instrument, making up 77% of all card transactions, but their share in online commerce continues to decline as users prefer wallet-based methods for faster, more secure payments.
The surge in e-wallet usage highlights a broader digital evolution in Pakistan, driven by convenience, accessibility, and increasing trust in fintech solutions. Merchants and service providers are also rapidly adapting by integrating wallet and QR-code payment systems.
As Pakistan moves closer to a cash-lite economy, financial institutions and regulators are being urged to enhance infrastructure, promote digital literacy, and strengthen cybersecurity frameworks to support this rapid shift toward a digitally inclusive future.
