Islamabad, 9 January 2026 — Pakistan is moving to strengthen digital financial inclusion by tackling one of its biggest obstacles: unreliable internet access. Karandaaz Pakistan has hosted the final pitch round of the Offline Payments Innovation Challenge, an initiative designed to develop secure payment solutions that work even in areas with limited or no connectivity.
The programme builds on Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment system, and seeks technologies that can deliver reliable transactions in rural, remote, and disaster‑affected regions where millions of citizens remain excluded from digital services. Organizers say the challenge marks a shift from identifying barriers to building practical tools that can operate under real‑world conditions.
Over two days, startups, fintech firms, and technology innovators presented proposals to a six‑member panel that included representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, the Asian Development Bank, the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, JoPacc Jordan, LUMS, and Karandaaz Pakistan.
Entries were judged on technical resilience, security safeguards, regulatory compliance, scalability, and long‑term sustainability. The strongest solutions will receive grant funding, technical guidance, and pilot opportunities to test their models in the field.
Karandaaz Pakistan Chief Executive Officer Waqas ul Hasan said the initiative reflects the national vision for a “Cashless Pakistan” under the broader Digital Pakistan agenda. He noted that large parts of the country operate in low‑connectivity environments, making locally relevant innovation essential for expanding secure digital payments.
Organizers emphasized that the challenge lays the foundation for bridging Pakistan’s connectivity gap. By encouraging innovation that is affordable, easy to use, and resilient, the programme aims to accelerate adoption of digital payments across the country.
