In a major step toward accelerating Pakistan’s digital payments landscape, Pakistan Railways has entered into a landmark agreement with 1LINK and Finnect. The signing ceremony took place at the Ministry of Railways in Islamabad, with the support and facilitation of State Bank of Pakistan. This collaboration marks a critical milestone in the federal government’s ongoing efforts to advance toward a cashless economy.
The agreement was signed by Mr. Syed Ali Raza, Director I.T – Pakistan Railways, and Mr. Syed Ali Mohsin, DIG – National Police Foundation, in the presence of Federal Minister for Railways Mr. Hanif Abbasi and Mr. Bashir Khan, Chief Commercial Officer – 1LINK. This initiative is part of the Prime Minister’s broader digital transformation vision to reduce cash dependency, increase financial transparency, and enhance public service delivery through technology.
Through this collaboration, Pakistan Railways will digitize its collections across multiple banking channels, allowing customers to make seamless payments using their preferred digital platforms. The system will enable passengers to purchase tickets and pay for services through online banking, mobile apps, ATMs, and other interoperable payment channels connected to 1LINK’s robust financial infrastructure.
By leveraging the 1LINK network and Finnect’s digital payment solutions, Pakistan Railways aims to bring convenience to millions of daily passengers. This is expected to not only modernize the railway’s payment ecosystem but also reduce the operational complexities associated with cash management. According to officials, this initiative will help streamline financial flows, minimize revenue leakages, and improve efficiency in collections and reporting.
Federal Minister for Railways Mr. Hanif Abbasi emphasized the government’s commitment to integrating digital financial solutions into the public sector. He stated that enabling digital payments for railway services is a key step toward creating a more efficient, transparent, and customer-friendly transportation system. He also highlighted the importance of private-public collaboration in realizing the vision of a digital Pakistan.
Mr. Bashir Khan, Chief Commercial Officer at 1LINK, noted that the partnership represents an important development in expanding digital payment accessibility to public services. He added that 1LINK’s interoperable infrastructure enables customers of all participating banks to transact easily, promoting financial inclusion on a national scale.
Finnect’s involvement brings a layer of technological innovation to the project, ensuring that the system is secure, user-friendly, and scalable. This integration is aligned with the State Bank’s ongoing push for a national shift to cashless transactions and the development of a secure and efficient digital payment ecosystem.
The initiative is expected to set a precedent for other government departments to adopt similar models. By enabling citizens to pay digitally for essential services like railway travel, the government moves closer to its cashless Pakistan vision. This transformation also complements the broader digital finance strategy and supports economic documentation, transparency, and financial inclusion goals.
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