HABIBMETRO Bank and Visa have further strengthened their long-standing relationship by entering into a new strategic growth agreement focused on advancing digital payment innovation across Pakistan. The partnership underscores both organizations’ commitment to expanding access to secure, modern, and customer-centric financial solutions in a rapidly evolving digital economy.
The agreement marks a significant milestone in the collaboration between the two institutions, signaling a broader and more comprehensive approach to strengthening Pakistan’s digital payment ecosystem. With increasing public adoption of digital banking and card-based transactions, the partnership aims to accelerate innovation in card products, improve portfolio efficiency, and introduce payment solutions aligned with the needs of an expanding digital-first customer base.
Senior leadership from HABIBMETRO and Visa came together for the formal signing ceremony, reflecting the importance of the collaboration. Representing HABIBMETRO Bank were Mr. Khurram Shahzad Khan, President and Chief Executive; Mr. Ahmed Shah Durrani, Group Executive Retail and Chief Digital Officer; and Mr. Muhammad Raza Dyer, Head of Operations. Visa’s delegation included Ms. Leila Serhan, Senior Vice President and Group Country Manager for the North Africa, Levant, and Pakistan region, and Mr. Umer Khan, Country Manager for Pakistan and Afghanistan, accompanied by other key members of senior management.
HABIBMETRO has consistently expanded its digital offerings over recent years, focusing on enhancing customer experience through innovative financial products and improved digital channels. The new agreement with Visa further strengthens this trajectory by enabling the bank to offer more advanced card solutions, improved transaction security, and payment technologies designed to meet global standards. As digital payments become increasingly embedded in daily transactions across Pakistan, partnerships like this are central to supporting ecosystem-wide modernization.
For Visa, the collaboration fits into its broader regional strategy of enabling financial institutions to adopt digital-first payment models while promoting secure and seamless commerce. Pakistan continues to emerge as a high-growth market for electronic payments, driven by increasing smartphone usage, growing e-commerce activity, and expanding fintech participation. By partnering with HABIBMETRO, Visa aims to introduce enhanced digital solutions that offer greater convenience, improved security, and deeper financial inclusion.
Industry analysts note that strategic agreements between global payment networks and local banks are becoming essential as demand for reliable, real-time, and interoperable digital payment services increases. The synergy between HABIBMETRO’s nationwide reach and Visa’s expertise in global payment innovation is expected to accelerate the rollout of advanced card features, digital onboarding enhancements, and value-added services for both retail and corporate customers.
The partnership also highlights the banking sector’s broader shift toward customer-centric digital transformation. As Pakistan continues to embrace mobile wallets, contactless payments, QR-based transactions, and online commerce, collaboration between industry leaders is crucial for creating a secure and efficient financial environment. HABIBMETRO and Visa aim to empower customers with a unified digital experience that combines global technology with local market needs.
The new strategic growth agreement sets the foundation for future initiatives that support Pakistan’s transition toward a cashless economy and align with the industry’s long-term vision for innovation and financial accessibility.
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