In a significant move towards promoting financial inclusion and digital payments, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched its nationwide “Go Cashless” campaign ahead of Eid-ul-Azha. The initiative, which runs from May 20 to June 6, 2025, is designed to reduce dependency on cash-based transactions, especially in the bustling cattle markets that see massive footfall during the Eid season.
The “Go Cashless” campaign comes as part of SBP’s broader vision of encouraging a shift towards a digitally empowered economy. As millions of Pakistanis prepare for sacrificial animal purchases and related Eid expenses, SBP is urging citizens to opt for secure digital financial services, offering a more streamlined and transparent way to transact.
To implement the initiative effectively, SBP has collaborated with the banking sector to facilitate digital payments in 54 designated cattle markets across the country. These markets are being equipped to support digital transactions for a wide range of services, including the purchase of sacrificial animals, feed and water supplies, and even parking fees. By introducing these facilities, SBP aims to ease the overall buyer experience while improving transaction transparency and safety.
To further incentivize the use of digital payment channels, the SBP has also introduced temporary enhancements to transaction limits on various account types. From May 19 to June 15, 2025, account holders of Branchless Banking Level-1, Asaan, Asaan Digital, and Merchant Accounts will benefit from the removal of daily transaction caps. Additionally, the monthly transaction limit has been significantly increased to PKR 5,000,000. These revisions are expected to facilitate larger volumes of digital transactions during the peak shopping season.
This campaign is not just a holiday initiative but a step towards building long-term digital habits among consumers and merchants alike. With Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem steadily growing, the SBP’s targeted efforts are helping to bring more citizens into the formal financial fold, while also addressing long-standing issues of cash dominance in the informal economy.
The public is strongly encouraged to embrace these services as a safer, quicker, and more convenient alternative to cash. As mobile wallets, QR payments, and bank transfers become more accessible, especially in rural and semi-urban regions, SBP’s campaign reflects a broader national agenda to modernize the country’s financial landscape.
SBP’s “Go Cashless” drive underscores its commitment to expanding digital financial access and making Pakistan’s economy more resilient and inclusive. With this campaign, the central bank is not only improving transaction efficiency during Eid-ul-Azha but also setting the stage for a more digitally agile financial future for Pakistan.
