aik by BankIslami has announced the launch of a targeted activation campaign at Creek Walk Food Street in Karachi from November 7 to 16, 2025, aimed at promoting secure, digital, and fully Shariah-compliant QR payments among local merchants and consumers. The initiative supports Pakistan’s national Go Cashless Economy Drive led by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and the State Bank of Pakistan, aligning with the government’s mandate to build a modern, transparent, and digitally-enabled financial system.
The campaign serves as a strategic move to advance the adoption of Islamic, interest-free digital financial services across everyday commerce. By introducing aik’s QR-based payment solution at a popular food destination in the city, the bank seeks to empower local entrepreneurs and consumers with fast, simple, and secure digital transactions that adhere to Shariah principles. The rollout highlights aik’s ambition to become a leading catalyst in Pakistan’s shift toward ethical, technology-enabled financial inclusion.
The aik QR service is designed to enable merchants to accept payments instantly through a scan-and-pay mechanism, eliminating the need for cash handling and enhancing transaction efficiency. Customers using the service gain access to a seamless, cashless, and Shariah-compliant payment experience, reflecting growing demand for interest-free digital banking channels in the country’s evolving fintech landscape.
Throughout the activation period, participating merchants at Creek Walk Food Street will be onboarded to the aik QR network and equipped with access to digital payment support and advisory. This approach is intended to make the transition smooth for local business owners, many of whom operate in high-traffic food and retail environments where digital convenience enhances operational flow and customer service.
Ashfaque Ahmed, Chief Officer of aik, emphasised the purpose behind the initiative, stating that the campaign is designed to digitise daily commerce at the grassroots level by empowering small and mid-sized merchants. He noted that aik’s QR solution provides a secure and fast transaction experience, ensuring customers benefit from a cash-free lifestyle aligned with Shariah rules and the national vision for financial transformation.
In an effort to encourage rapid adoption and incentivise early users, aik is offering cashback rewards on QR payments throughout the campaign duration. aik and BankIslami customers will be eligible for 50 percent cashback on payments made using aik QR, while customers of other banks will receive 30 percent cashback, subject to applicable terms and conditions. This incentive model plays a critical role in boosting initial usage, building trust, and driving consumer habit formation in the digital payments ecosystem.
This initiative represents a continuation of BankIslami’s commitment to pioneering digital and Shariah-compliant finance in Pakistan. As one of the country’s prominent Islamic banking institutions, the bank has consistently invested in technology-driven financial solutions that prioritise ethical banking, digital convenience, and inclusive growth. The launch of aik and its QR capabilities strengthens this mission by directly supporting small merchants, entrepreneurs, and everyday consumers in adopting secure digital finance tools.
The Creek Walk Food Street activation also serves as a strategic brand-building milestone for aik within Karachi’s fast-growing digital retail environment. By engaging closely with merchants and customers in a high-visibility commercial hub, aik is helping foster a culture of trust and familiarity around cashless, interest-free payment experiences. The effort contributes to Pakistan’s broader financial inclusion agenda by driving practical usage of digital banking channels and encouraging behavioural shifts away from cash-dependent transactions.
As Pakistan moves further toward digitalisation and interest-free financial solutions gain momentum, initiatives like this aim to establish practical, accessible pathways for everyday users to adopt safe digital finance practices. aik’s activation campaign demonstrates a strong commitment to supporting the country’s evolution toward a cash-light economy backed by secure, Islamic-compliant technology, while strengthening local business operations and providing consumers with tangible benefits.
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