Pakistan Sees Sudden 6x Jump in Credit Card ATM Transactions
By Business Desk | Published Jul 26, 2026 | 8:06 pm

https://propakistani.pk/2026/07/26/pakistan-sees-sudden-6x-jump-in-...

Pakistan’s credit card market recorded its largest-ever quarterly growth, with the number of cards in circulation jumping by 900,000 in just three months, according to Gallup Pakistan’s Digital Analytics Dashboard based on data from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).

The total number of credit cards increased from 2.2 million in FY25 to 3.1 million in Q1 FY26 (July-September 2025), up by 44 percent.

The addition exceeds the total net growth recorded over the previous six years, during which the credit card base rose from 1.6 million to 2.2 million.

The surge coincided with a sharp rise in credit card usage. SBP data shows the value of credit card transactions at ATMs increased nearly sixfold during the same quarter.

Despite the unprecedented jump, no major bank, fintech, or financial institution publicly announced a large-scale credit card issuance campaign during the period.

The increase could be linked to a major card issuance, a regulatory reclassification of certain card products, or the launch of new credit-based payment products. SBP hasn’t revealed anything on this so far.

Debit cards continue to dominate Pakistan’s payment landscape, accounting for around 90% of the country’s 61.3 million payment cards, while credit cards represent about 4 percent.

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Credit card growth in Pakistan is experiencing a sudden shift, jumping from a stagnant base of 2.2 million to 3.1 million cards in late 2025, driven by rising fintech adoption and digital banking integrations. Despite this growth, total penetration remains exceptionally low relative to the country's population. [1, 2, 3, 4]
Market Statistics and Recent Surge
Base Expansion: Stagnated around 1.6 million to 2.2 million cards between FY20 and FY25, before a single-quarter jump to 3.1 million in Q1 FY26 (July–September 2025). [1]
Transaction Activity: ATM credit card transaction values spiked nearly 6x during the Q1 FY26 surge, confirming active utilization rather than passive issuance. [1]
Overall Market Share: Debit cards still heavily dominate, making up roughly 90% of Pakistan’s 61.3 million total payment cards. [1]

New Connectivity Plan Proposed to Boost Internet in Remote Areas

https://www.techjuice.pk/new-connectivity-plan-proposed-to-boost-in...

The federal government wants to bridge the digital divide. Federal Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Cheema recently chaired a crucial meeting. He discussed the proposed National Connectivity Plan. Minister for IT & Telecom Shaza Fatima Khawaja and several senior officials also attended this session. Primarily, the meeting focused on expanding high-speed internet access. The government wants to connect villages, remote areas, and small towns. Consequently, this move will unlock massive new economic opportunities across the country.

A Connectivity Plan to Empower Freelancers & Digital Professionals

Currently, slow and unreliable internet creates major hurdles for remote workers. Therefore, Federal Minister Ahad Cheema highlighted the government’s top priority. Authorities aim to facilitate freelancers, e-commerce entrepreneurs, and other digital professionals living in remote regions. The government will take all necessary measures to ensure affordable, high-speed internet services. As a result, every citizen can fully participate in the growing digital economy.

Furthermore, the session highlighted the critical importance of 5G infrastructure. Next-generation fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) networks will also drive national economic growth. Ultimately, these crucial upgrades will create jobs and foster nationwide digital inclusion.

Ambitious Infrastructure Targets

Pakistan is already experiencing strong momentum in digital development. Officials noted steady growth in FTTH subscriptions, which currently stand at 2.8 million. Moreover, the country boasts a robust fiber footprint of 234,000 kilometers. The current infrastructure includes 5.1 million house passes and six operational submarine cables.

To build upon this solid foundation, the government outlined highly ambitious national targets. The plan seeks to expand the infrastructure to 10 million house passes. Additionally, the government aims to raise average fixed broadband download speeds to 85 Mbps. Authorities also plan to increase tower fiberization to 60 percent. Consequently, these specific efforts aim to secure the country a spot among the world’s top 50 countries for broadband performance.

Strategic Reforms & Tax Relief

The meeting placed a massive emphasis on digital affordability. Participants actively considered targeted tax relief for internet users living in remote areas. This key decision will significantly expand digital participation.

Additionally, officials discussed several strategic reforms. The government plans to abolish right-of-way fees. Authorities will also launch a single-window approval portal and introduce district-level licensing. Furthermore, the plan makes fixed broadband connectivity mandatory across all public institutions, schools, and health facilities.

To ensure swift execution, the government will finalize the National Connectivity Plan expeditiously through comprehensive stakeholder consultation. Cheema stressed the need for a highly structured and sequenced approach. The government will prioritize essential regulatory reforms and enforce clear operator obligations. Moreover, officials will link financial support directly to verified performance milestones. This strategy will accelerate nationwide fiber deployment. At the same time, it will successfully safeguard public resources and ensure long-term commercial viability.

USF Connects 16.2m People, Deploys 10,400km OFC in Five Years.
The projects expanded broadband access across thousands of underserved areas. Fibre deployment also connected 947 previously unserved

https://www.techjuice.pk/usf-connects-16-2m-people-deploys-10400km-...

The Universal Service Fund (USF) has expanded voice and broadband access to more than 16.2 million people. The projects covered over 9,400 underserved and unserved mauzas during the last five fiscal years.

The figures were shared by Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja. She provided the details in a written reply to the National Assembly.

During FY2022-26, USF projects delivered voice and broadband data services across more than 9,400 mauzas. The programme also helped bring broadband to areas where telecom operators lacked a strong business case.

USF also expanded coverage along more than 1,000 kilometres of unserved roads. These included sections of national highways and motorways. The projects also covered eight tourist destinations and around 50 kilometres of access routes.

The fund deployed more than 10,400 kilometres of optic fibre cable (OFC) during the same five-year period. This work connected 947 unserved tehsil headquarters, union councils and towns.

Since its launch, USF has reached more than 38.4 million people across over 22,100 mauzas. It has also covered more than 2,500 kilometres of previously unserved road segments.

The fund has connected eight tourist destinations and about 50 kilometres of access routes. Its total OFC deployment has also crossed 18,300 kilometres since inception.

USF was established under Section 33(A)(1) of the Pakistan Telecommunication (Re-organization) Act, 1996. Its main goal is to extend telecom services to rural, remote and underserved communities.

The programme initially focused on voice and basic data services through 2G networks. It later expanded to high-speed broadband through 3G and 4G networks.

The government said better connectivity is also supporting education, healthcare and emergency services. It is helping improve financial inclusion, e-governance and access to economic opportunities.

The ministry said USF remains important in areas where commercial telecom deployment is difficult. It will continue targeting unserved and underserved communities through broadband and fibre projects.