Askari Bank Limited and 1LINK (Private) Limited have joined hands to accelerate Pakistan’s transition toward a cashless economy through the enablement of 1GO Raast P2M Acceptance. The agreement marks another significant milestone in supporting the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and the Prime Minister’s vision of Digital Pakistan.
Under the partnership, Askari Bank will now be able to offer Raast Person-to-Merchant (P2M) digital payment acceptance, allowing merchants to accept payments via static QR codes through 1GO’s interoperable payment infrastructure. This will promote secure, seamless, and instant digital transactions nationwide, empowering businesses and improving the overall customer payment experience.
The signing ceremony was attended by Mr. Ali Naqvi, Chief Digital Officer, Askari Bank Limited, and Mr. Muhammad Bashir Khan, Chief Commercial Officer, 1LINK, along with senior representatives from both organizations.
Speaking on the occasion, representatives from both sides highlighted how this collaboration reflects a shared commitment to expanding Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem and fostering financial inclusion.
Through this initiative, Askari Bank aims to further strengthen its role in enabling merchant digitization, while 1LINK continues to enhance interoperability and innovation across the country’s payment systems.
The 1GO Raast P2M solution, powered by SBP’s instant payment platform Raast, will play a vital role in promoting contactless, transparent, and efficient financial transactions, bridging the gap between consumers and merchants in the digital economy.
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