In a move that will undoubtedly transform the digital payments landscape in Pakistan, HBL (Habib Bank Limited), the country’s largest card issuer with over 7 million cardholders, has announced the launch of Google Wallet for its customers. Starting today, HBL cardholders can easily add their Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards to Google Wallet on both Android and Wear OS devices, allowing for fast, secure, and contactless payments at millions of merchants worldwide.
This collaboration with Google is a strategic step by HBL to enhance its position as a leader in digital banking and financial innovation in Pakistan. The partnership aims to provide a seamless payment experience, empowering HBL customers to make quick payments in stores, online, and within apps, all through Google Pay. As one of the largest financial institutions in Pakistan, HBL has consistently led the market in transaction volumes, with its cards recording the highest spending figures in the country. This new service further cements the bank’s commitment to offering cutting-edge technology solutions to meet the evolving needs of its customers.
Aamir Kureshi, Head of Products, Transactional Services & Solution Delivery at HBL, expressed his excitement about the launch, stating, “We are pleased to bring Google Wallet to our clients in Pakistan. This initiative underscores our commitment to adopting the latest technologies that enhance the banking experience by offering both convenience and security.” The integration of Google Wallet with HBL’s payment services is expected to make digital payments more accessible and user-friendly, catering to the growing demand for secure mobile payment options across the country.
Google Wallet provides a highly secure environment for making payments, with advanced features such as tokenization, which replaces sensitive card information with a unique identifier to minimize the risk of fraud. This ensures that HBL cardholders can confidently make transactions with their smartphones, simply by tapping to pay at point-of-sale terminals, making online purchases, or even checking out in-app purchases. Additionally, users can store other essential items such as boarding passes and event tickets in Google Wallet, offering a consolidated and convenient platform for all their payment needs.
Farhan Qureshi, Country Director for Google Pakistan, highlighted the significance of this milestone for the country, saying, “Pakistan’s digital payments landscape is evolving rapidly, and with more people embracing digital transactions, Google Wallet provides a secure, seamless, and efficient way to make payments, shop, and travel. It will enable Pakistanis to tap-and-pay in stores, check out seamlessly online, and easily access their boarding passes when they travel. Google Wallet helps keep everything protected in one place, no matter where they go. More importantly, this launch will go a long way in supporting financial inclusion in Pakistan and unlock economic opportunities for all.”
The introduction of Google Wallet is part of Pakistan’s broader efforts to embrace digital financial solutions and advance towards a cashless economy. With an increasing number of consumers shifting to mobile-based transactions, the availability of such secure digital payment options is expected to further drive financial inclusion and increase the adoption of digital payments in the region.
To get started, HBL cardholders can download Google Wallet from the Google Play Store, and within minutes, they can add their cards to the app. Whether making payments in-store, online, or in-app, this new service provides HBL customers with the freedom and convenience of contactless payments, enhancing their overall banking experience.
The collaboration between HBL and Google underscores the growing role of technology in Pakistan’s financial ecosystem. It also highlights the importance of offering secure, user-friendly solutions that align with the country’s digital payment goals. With Google Wallet now available for HBL customers, Pakistan takes another significant step toward a more inclusive and digitized financial future.