The National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has taken a major stride in its digital banking agenda by officially partnering with Hazara Electric Supply Company (HAZECO) to facilitate end-to-end digital bill collection services. This collaboration reflects NBP’s growing focus on enabling secure, efficient, and technology-driven solutions for the public sector and utility services across the country.
The formal agreement was signed in Islamabad by Mr. Imran Gul, General Manager North of NBP, and Engr. Qazi Muhammad Tahir, Chief Executive Officer of HAZECO. The signing ceremony also included notable attendees such as Mr. Hisham Jan Kiani, Head of Digital Solutions North from the Digital Banking Group (DBG), and Mr. Fakhar-uz-Zaman, Regional Head of NBP Abbottabad.
As part of the strategic partnership, NBP will roll out its SMARTPAY and 1LINK Reverse Aggregation platforms to enable HAZECO’s customer base—estimated at around 900,000—with seamless access to digital bill payment services. These platforms are designed to support real-time transactions and are aimed at improving billing efficiency, cash flow transparency, and overall customer convenience.
By integrating NBP’s digital payment infrastructure, HAZECO will now offer its consumers a modernized and simplified utility payment experience. The real-time nature of the service will reduce reliance on manual billing processes and mitigate delays in transaction postings. This is particularly vital for an electric utility company like HAZECO, which must manage a high volume of monthly transactions across diverse regions.
Senior representatives from both NBP and HAZECO stressed the significance of the initiative in advancing digital enablement across Pakistan’s public service sector. The collaboration is viewed as a model for how public-private partnerships can support the country’s ongoing financial digitization efforts. It demonstrates how leveraging fintech innovation can contribute to broader objectives, including enhanced operational efficiency, reduced administrative costs, and better user satisfaction.
The deployment of SMARTPAY and integration with the 1LINK ecosystem not only simplifies the payment process for end users but also strengthens backend reconciliation and reporting mechanisms. This creates a win-win situation for both the utility provider and its customers, while also aligning with national digital transformation objectives.
This development aligns with NBP’s long-term commitment to becoming a leading digital financial services provider. By integrating robust payment technologies into essential public utilities, the bank is helping lay the groundwork for a secure, inclusive, and connected financial ecosystem.
As Pakistan moves toward a more digitized economy, partnerships like this underscore the importance of financial institutions adopting agile, customer-centric technologies. NBP’s alliance with HAZECO marks another step toward bridging the digital gap in utility services and improving financial inclusion across underserved regions.