Google Pay, the global leader in contactless payments, is set to officially launch in Pakistan by mid-March 2025, marking a significant step in the country’s rapidly evolving digital payment sector. The launch, confirmed by Google in November 2024, will be supported by partnerships with Visa, Mastercard, and major local banks.
The service will enable Pakistani users to link their bank-issued debit and credit cards to Google Pay via the Google Wallet app, allowing seamless contactless payments at compatible payment terminals. Although the initial phase will focus on basic contactless payments, additional features such as loyalty cards and public transport passes will be introduced later.
Sources revealed that preparations for the rollout are progressing smoothly, with four to six major banks working closely with Visa and Mastercard to ensure the technical requirements are met.
Pakistan’s payment infrastructure is primed for this launch, boasting 133,000 point-of-sale (POS) terminals, 99% of which are already equipped to handle mobile contactless payments, as reported by the State Bank of Pakistan.
Industry experts view Google Pay’s arrival as a major boost for Pakistan’s rapidly growing digital payments landscape, which has experienced substantial growth in recent years. According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, electronic payments now represent 9.3% of all transactions, a figure that has doubled in the past two years.
The introduction of Google Wallet, compatible with payment cards from any financial institution, is expected to accelerate the adoption of digital payments via POS terminals and e-commerce platforms across the country.
