KARACHI: Senior leadership from Mastercard and The Bank of Punjab (BOP) met in Karachi to reaffirm and broaden their strategic alliance, aimed at advancing Pakistan’s shift toward a cashless, digitally connected, and financially inclusive economy.
The Mastercard delegation was headed by Ms. Ailish Campbell, Executive Vice President – Public Sector, alongside Mr. Arslan Khan, Country Manager – Pakistan, and Mr. Jibran Jamshad, Director – Business Development. Representing BOP were Mr. Zafar Masud, President & CEO, along with Mr. Nofel Daud, Chief Digital Officer, Mr. Raza Bashir, Chief of Staff & Strategy, Mr. Qasim Nadeem, Group Head – Treasury & Financial Institutions, and Mr. Rai Usman, Head of Cards.
Building on a long-standing partnership, the two organizations discussed ways to deepen collaboration across several priority areas: financial inclusion, transit payments, digital government disbursements, and cross-border remittances.
Building on Existing Digital Initiatives
The meeting highlighted the tangible results of the alliance so far. Mastercard-enabled debit and credit cards issued by BOP including the CM Punjab Asaan Karobar Card, CM Punjab Kissan Card, and CM Punjab Livestock Card have helped extend secure, transparent, and scalable financing to entrepreneurs, farmers, and livestock owners across the province.
BOP also pointed to its role in the Ramzan Nigehban Programme, which delivered financial assistance to beneficiaries through Mastercard-enabled debit cards an example, the bank said, of how digital payment tools can improve transparency and operational efficiency while cutting reliance on cash-based disbursements.
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Digitizing Punjab’s Transit Network
With smart, accessible mobility becoming an increasing priority, Mastercard and BOP are also working together to digitize Punjab’s transit program the largest of its kind in the province, spanning 13 cities enabling commuters to make contactless fare payments using bank-issued cards. The initiative is designed to support Pakistan’s broader push toward modern, integrated, cashless transport systems.
Expanding Into Cross-Border Payments
The discussion also explored opportunities to deepen cooperation on cross-border payments and remittances, combining Mastercard’s global payments network with BOP’s expanding footprint in international payments. The goal, both sides said, is to make sending and receiving money more convenient, accessible, and efficient for overseas Pakistanis and their families back home.
What the Leadership Said
Zafar Masud, President & CEO of BOP, said the partnership with Mastercard has already shown how digital payments can support financial inclusion, government service delivery, and economic development, noting that the two organizations have jointly enabled some of Punjab’s largest digital financing and social support programs. Looking ahead, he pointed to significant opportunity to expand the collaboration further modernizing payment infrastructure, strengthening remittance ecosystems, and building solutions that create lasting value for citizens, businesses, and government.
Ailish Campbell, Executive Vice President – Public Sector at Mastercard, said Mastercard is proud to support Pakistan’s digital transformation efforts alongside BOP as the country advances its payments landscape, adding that combining Mastercard’s global expertise and secure payment technologies with strong public sector partnerships can help shape a resilient digital economy that benefits everyone.
