NADRA Technologies Limited (NTL), a subsidiary of Pakistan’s National Database and Registration Authority, has entered into a strategic partnership with 1LINK by joining its Affiliate Program for Cash-In Services. As part of the collaboration, HBL will serve as the settlement bank, enabling more efficient and secure digital transactions across the country.
The signing ceremony was attended by senior leadership from all three organizations, including Umar Azad, CEO of NTL; Armughan Ahmed Kausar, Head of Konnect & Mass Segment at HBL; Muhammad Faisal Malik, Head of G2P Business Initiatives at HBL; Najeeb Agrawalla, CEO of 1LINK; and Bashir Khan, Chief Commercial Officer of 1LINK. They were joined by other senior representatives from their respective teams.
Under this partnership, NADRA will utilize the robust infrastructure of the 1LINK network to enhance its service offerings, particularly through its nationwide e-Sahulat Centers. Customers will now be able to access faster, safer, and more convenient cash-in services, reducing reliance on traditional channels and promoting digital financial inclusion.
NADRA’s e-Sahulat Centers, already a familiar touchpoint for millions of Pakistanis for bill payments and other services, will serve as a gateway for digital financial transactions under this initiative. The integration with 1LINK ensures interoperability across banks and payment providers, while HBL’s role as the settlement bank strengthens the transaction flow and trust in the system.
Speaking at the ceremony, executives highlighted the importance of collaboration in advancing Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem. By combining NADRA’s wide-reaching e-Sahulat infrastructure, HBL’s expertise in branchless banking through Konnect, and 1LINK’s position as the country’s largest payment service provider, the initiative is expected to make financial services more accessible to underserved populations.
Industry analysts believe this collaboration represents another milestone in Pakistan’s ongoing efforts to expand digital financial services and reduce cash dependency. With cash-in services forming a critical link in enabling digital wallets and other fintech solutions, the partnership is positioned to accelerate financial inclusion while ensuring secure, real-time transaction processing.
This development also aligns with the government’s broader push for a cashless economy, where institutions like NADRA, HBL, and 1LINK play key roles in bridging gaps between traditional banking systems and new-age digital solutions.
By enabling smoother interoperability and wider access points, the NADRA–1LINK–HBL collaboration is set to simplify how customers deposit funds, empowering individuals and small businesses to engage more effectively in Pakistan’s digital economy.
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