In a significant step toward advancing Pakistan’s transition to a cashless economy, 1LINK and Paysys Labs have announced a strategic partnership to introduce 1GO, a Raast-powered digital merchant acceptance platform. The collaboration is aimed at enabling banks nationwide to provide merchants with simple, secure, and scalable QR payment solutions, aligned with the Prime Minister’s vision of a digital Pakistan.
The signing ceremony was held on Friday, September 12, 2025, at 1LINK Headquarters in Karachi. The event was led by Mr. Najeeb Agrawalla, CEO of 1LINK, and Mr. Karim Jindani, CEO of Paysys Labs. Both executives emphasized the importance of industry collaboration in accelerating digital payment adoption and driving financial inclusion.
The newly launched 1GO platform will empower banks by giving them the technology infrastructure required to streamline QR payment accessibility for their merchant networks. By simplifying onboarding and transaction processing, 1GO aims to make digital payments easier and more attractive for small and large businesses alike.
Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system developed by the State Bank of Pakistan, has been a game-changer in promoting digital financial services by offering low-cost, real-time, and interoperable transactions. By integrating Raast into 1GO, merchants across Pakistan will now have access to seamless QR payment solutions that eliminate the need for cash, reduce transaction costs, and improve transparency.
Speaking at the ceremony, 1LINK CEO Najeeb Agrawalla noted that the partnership is another milestone in Pakistan’s journey toward financial modernization. “With 1GO, we are enabling banks to extend digital payment services to every merchant, creating a more inclusive ecosystem and accelerating the adoption of Raast across the country,” he said.
Karim Jindani, CEO of Paysys Labs, added that the initiative demonstrates the company’s commitment to innovation in Pakistan’s fintech sector. “Our collaboration with 1LINK brings the technology backbone needed for merchants to accept digital payments effortlessly. This will create convenience for customers and unlock new revenue opportunities for businesses,” he remarked.
Industry experts believe the 1GO initiative will play a key role in scaling merchant adoption of Raast payments, which has so far seen rapid uptake among individuals but requires stronger merchant-side infrastructure for mass acceptance. By addressing this gap, 1GO positions itself as a cornerstone in Pakistan’s cashless transformation strategy.
The launch also signals a broader shift in Pakistan’s payments landscape, where partnerships between banks, fintechs, and infrastructure providers are becoming essential to building a sustainable digital economy. With 1GO, both 1LINK and Paysys Labs are contributing to the State Bank’s mandate of creating interoperable systems that expand financial inclusion and reduce reliance on cash.
As Pakistan continues its push toward digitization, the 1GO Raast merchant acceptance platform could emerge as a defining innovation in shaping the country’s payments future. For merchants, customers, and banks alike, the collaboration promises a more connected, cashless, and convenient financial ecosystem.
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