State Bank of Pakistan Deputy Governor Muhammad Ali Khan has called for closer cooperation between banks and fintech companies as the central bank works to build a trusted and accountable digital financial system. Speaking as chief guest at the fourth edition of the Pakistan Fintech Forum, hosted by the Pakistan Fintech Network in Karachi, Khan said the SBP’s priorities extend beyond expanding digital access to include strengthening regulation, building accountability, and ensuring that digital financial services translate into real economic activity.
The forum, themed “Building the Financial Future: Scale, Trust and Inclusion,” brought together senior representatives from the State Bank, the Pakistan Digital Authority, the Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, and Raast Payments Pakistan, along with leaders from across the financial and technology sectors. Discussions at the event covered digital banking, access to credit, sustainable digital payments, financial inclusion, regulation, digital infrastructure, and emerging technologies shaping the next phase of Pakistan’s financial ecosystem.
Opening the forum, Pakistan Fintech Network Chairman Syed Nadeem Hussain said the country’s fintech sector has moved past the adoption stage and now needs to scale responsibly while extending financial inclusion. He pointed to regulatory clarity and stronger ties between banks and fintechs as necessary steps to expand access to credit and serve customers at a larger scale.
Sessions during the forum also examined how technology, financial data, and reliable infrastructure can widen financial access, build consumer trust, and support the continued expansion of Pakistan’s digital financial sector. The event drew participation from senior policy figures, including SECP Commissioner Imtiaz Haider, Pakistan Digital Authority Chairperson Dr Sohail Munir, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority Chairman Bilal Bin Saqib, and Raast Payments Pakistan CEO Ahson Saeed.
The forum’s discussions reflect a broader push within Pakistan’s financial sector to align regulatory oversight with the rapid growth of digital payments and fintech services, as authorities and industry players work to formalize partnerships that can extend credit access and digital financial tools to a wider segment of the population.
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