State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) Deputy Governor Muhammad Ali Khan has called for stronger collaboration between banks and fintech companies as Pakistan works to develop a trusted and accountable digital financial ecosystem. He said the central bank is focused not only on expanding digital access but also on strengthening trust, regulation and accountability so that digital financial services can contribute to meaningful economic activity.
Muhammad Ali Khan made the remarks while speaking as the chief guest at the fourth edition of Pakistan Fintech Forum (PFF IV), hosted by Pakistan Fintech Network (PFN). The forum was held under the theme “Building the Financial Future: Scale, Trust & Inclusion” and brought together representatives from financial institutions, technology companies and public-sector organizations to discuss the next phase of Pakistan’s evolving digital financial ecosystem.
According to the SBP deputy governor, building a sustainable digital finance ecosystem requires more than increasing access to digital services. Regulatory oversight, accountability and consumer trust are also important components of the financial system. His remarks highlighted the need to ensure that the expansion of digital financial services is supported by appropriate regulatory structures and systems that can operate reliably as adoption increases.
Speaking at the forum, Syed Nadeem Hussain, Chairman of Pakistan Fintech Network, said Pakistan’s fintech sector has moved beyond the initial phase of digital adoption and should now focus on building an ecosystem that can expand responsibly while supporting financial inclusion. He emphasized the importance of regulatory clarity, resilient infrastructure and closer collaboration between banks and fintech companies, particularly in extending access to credit and serving customers at scale.
The forum provided a platform for discussion on several areas shaping Pakistan’s digital financial sector. Discussions covered digital banking, access to credit, sustainable digital payments, financial inclusion, regulation, digital infrastructure and emerging technologies. Participants also examined the opportunities and challenges associated with expanding digital financial services while maintaining trust and strengthening the systems supporting financial activity.
A major focus of the discussions was the role of cooperation between traditional financial institutions and fintech companies. Banks and fintechs can contribute different capabilities to the digital finance ecosystem, making coordination between the two important for expanding services and reaching a wider customer base. The discussions emphasized that stronger partnerships can support the development of digital financial models capable of addressing changing customer requirements while maintaining appropriate regulatory and operational standards.
Participants also discussed the role of technology and financial data in broadening access to financial services. Reliable digital infrastructure and effective use of financial information can support the development of services for customers who have historically had limited access to formal financial products. At the same time, the forum highlighted the importance of maintaining consumer trust and ensuring that digital financial services develop within a reliable and accountable framework.
The event was attended by senior representatives from the State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Digital Authority, Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority, Raast Payments Pakistan and leading organizations from the financial and technology sectors. Prominent industry and policy participants included Imtiaz Haider, Commissioner of Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP); Dr Sohail Munir, Chairperson of Pakistan Digital Authority; Bilal Bin Saqib, Chairman of Pakistan Virtual Assets Regulatory Authority; and Ahson Saeed, Chief Executive Officer of Raast Payments Pakistan.
The fourth Pakistan Fintech Forum highlighted the growing importance of collaboration, regulation, infrastructure and trust as Pakistan’s digital financial ecosystem continues to develop. Discussions at the event pointed toward a financial sector where banks, fintech companies and public institutions work more closely to expand digital banking, payments, financing and financial inclusion while maintaining the regulatory and operational foundations required for sustainable growth.
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