Millions of Pakistanis could lose access to their digital bank accounts and mobile wallets starting October 25, 2025, as the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) updated biometric verification regulations come into full effect. The move marks a major step by the central bank to tighten security, improve compliance, and strengthen anti-money laundering and counter-terrorism financing (AML/CFT) measures across the country’s financial system.
Under the new regulations, introduced through BPRD Circular No. 1 of 2025, biometric verification has been made the primary method for customer identification across all financial institutions. This includes traditional banks, digital banks, microfinance banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), and electronic money institutions (EMIs). The SBP has emphasized that the implementation of these measures is mandatory and aims to ensure higher levels of trust, transparency, and accountability within Pakistan’s rapidly expanding digital financial ecosystem.
Previously, customers were given a 60-day window to complete biometric verification before facing any account restrictions. However, according to the revised framework, account holders who fail to complete this process by October 25 may experience immediate service disruptions. This means customers could lose the ability to send or receive funds, access mobile wallets, or perform any digital banking transactions until their verification is completed.
Industry experts have expressed concern that the new regulations could affect millions of active users, particularly those maintaining foreign currency and Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA). These accounts, which were introduced to facilitate overseas Pakistanis in managing their finances digitally, will also fall under the new verification requirement. Analysts believe the move could temporarily inconvenience a large segment of users but acknowledge that the policy will ultimately enhance long-term financial security and compliance.
The SBP’s new ‘Consolidated Customer Onboarding Framework’ unifies the approach to customer due diligence for both individuals and business entities. The framework applies to all account types—local and foreign currency—and covers both in-person and remote onboarding processes. This holistic structure aims to eliminate discrepancies between different financial channels and ensure that all customer identities are verified through a standardized biometric process.
Financial institutions were given a three-month compliance period following the announcement of the new rules in July 2025. Despite requests from some stakeholders for an extension, the SBP has not indicated any plans to delay the implementation. The central bank maintains that timely adoption of biometric verification is essential to protect the financial sector from fraud, identity theft, and misuse of digital banking platforms.
For customers, the biometric verification requirement means they must visit their bank branches, designated biometric centers, or authorized agents to complete the process. Many banks and EMIs have already launched awareness campaigns to encourage users to verify their accounts before the deadline, highlighting that unverified accounts will be blocked automatically by the system once the cutoff date passes.
This initiative also aligns with Pakistan’s broader financial inclusion goals and its ongoing digital transformation. As the country’s fintech sector continues to grow, the SBP is focusing on building a secure, compliant, and innovative digital banking infrastructure that meets global standards. By enforcing these regulations, the central bank aims to protect consumers while ensuring that digital financial services remain safe and transparent for all users.
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