Islamabad, Pakistan — In a groundbreaking move for the country’s banking and fintech landscape, Askari Bank has introduced Pakistan’s first in-app calling feature through its Askari Mobile App. This innovative enhancement enables secure, real-time communication between the bank and its customers, ensuring that every call received through the app is authentic, safe, and trusted.
As the digital world continues to expand, so do the tactics used by fraudsters. Fake calls, spoofed numbers, and deceptive SMS alerts have become increasingly common methods for targeting banking customers. Askari Bank’s introduction of secure in-app communication addresses this urgent challenge head-on, offering a revolutionary solution that enhances both security and user experience.
With this launch, Askari Bank becomes the first financial institution in Pakistan to roll out such a feature. The update reflects the bank’s broader commitment to innovation, security, and customer-centric solutions. It aligns with the organization’s mission of “Getting Closer to the Customer,” and sets a new standard for secure digital engagement in Pakistan’s financial sector.
The feature allows bank representatives to call customers directly through the app. This eliminates ambiguity about whether a call is genuine and drastically reduces the risk of phishing scams and social engineering attacks. Importantly, it also fosters stronger, safer, and more personal engagement between Askari Bank and its clientele.
Speaking about the strategic importance of this development, Ali Naqvi, Chief Information Officer at Askari Bank, stated:
“Our goal has always been to offer the most secure banking experience—and with in-app calling, we have taken a major step in this direction. As regulators shift away from SMS due to security vulnerabilities and industry experts call for more robust safeguards, we recognised the need to take a proactive lead. This initiative goes beyond data security—it is about safeguarding our customers from scams and reinforcing brand confidence. Askari Bank ensures that every call is authentic, secure, clear, and focused on building stronger relationships with our customers.”
The implementation of in-app calling comes at a time when regulators and cybersecurity experts globally are discouraging reliance on SMS-based communications, citing growing security loopholes. In contrast, app-based interactions provide end-to-end control, encryption, and verification—elements essential for protecting sensitive customer data in today’s digital economy.
This innovation further enhances the Askari Mobile App, which already supports a wide range of digital banking features, including fund transfers, bill payments, and mobile wallet services. The in-app calling feature now adds another layer of trust and convenience for users.
In a competitive digital banking environment, Askari Bank’s move sets it apart as a trailblazer in customer protection and digital communication. It reinforces the bank’s forward-thinking approach and dedication to pioneering meaningful solutions for modern banking challenges.
As the financial industry continues its digital transformation journey, initiatives like this are expected to pave the way for other institutions to rethink and redesign how they engage with customers securely in the digital age.