ISLAMABAD: The Pakistani government is set to enter a strategic partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba next week. The goal is to boost Pakistan’s global export presence and strengthen its digital supply chain.
The partnership will focus on integrating real-time digital payments through Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment platform.
Faiz Ahmad, CEO of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), announced the deal during the 18th International Conference on ‘Mobile Commerce 2025’ in Karachi. He said the partnership will change how Pakistani products are discovered, sold, and delivered worldwide. He compared Alibaba’s role to Amazon’s in global e-commerce.
Ahmad said Pakistan aims to build a unified digital supply chain. He explained that digital wallets and instant payments through Raast will connect businesses from remote areas to major cities.
He shared a simple example: A small business in Skardu gets an order via Alibaba. Payment arrives instantly through Raast. The business pays suppliers in Karachi using the same wallet. Inventory is managed digitally. No need for banks or cash.
“This is not a dream,” he said. “It’s a working model that we are scaling.”
Ahmad added that TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce treat this digital shift as a national priority. “It’s not just a policy goal—it’s a national imperative,” he stated.
During the event, Faisal Mahmood of Karandaaz Pakistan raised concerns about the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) capacity to support fintech innovation. He questioned if SBP has enough funds, skills, and infrastructure to run pilot projects in its regulatory sandbox.
SBP had issued sandbox guidelines in May 2025. These allow banks, startups, and fintech firms to test new solutions in a controlled environment with relaxed regulations.
Ali Imran Khan, Deputy CIO of Meezan Bank, highlighted the promise of open banking. He said it lets banks safely share customer data with third parties, enabling customized financial products.
Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq Pakistan, acknowledged that while cash still dominates, digital adoption is now essential. “Going digital is no longer optional,” he said. “It’s a must for growth.”
The conference featured four key panel discussions:
- The role of regulatory sandboxes in fintech innovation
- The move from legacy systems to open banking
- Advancements in payment and e-commerce technology
- The rising use of digital wallets in Pakistan’s economy
The event brought together key voices pushing Pakistan’s digital economy forward.
