In an important development on the digital payments front, Google Wallet was launched in Pakistan on Wednesday, allowing users to make online, in-app, and contactless payments via mobile devices.
According to a statement, the Google Wallet provides people safer, simpler, and more helpful payment experience and supports digital items such as loyalty cards and boarding passes.
Google Wallet is a digital wallet app developed by Google that allows users to store and manage their payment cards, loyalty cards, transit passes, and other digital items securely on their smartphones. It enables contactless payments using NFC (Near Field Communication) technology.
Farhan Qureshi, Country Director for Google Pakistan, said “Pakistan’s digital payments landscape is evolving rapidly, and with more people embracing digital transactions, Google Wallet provides a secure, seamless, and efficient way to make payments, shop, and travel.”
He further said “It will enable Pakistanis to tap-and-pay in stores, check out seamlessly online, and easily access their boarding passes when they travel. More importantly, this launch will go a long way in supporting financial inclusion in Pakistan and unlock economic opportunities for all.”
Google said that cardholders of Bank AlFalah, Bank of Punjab, Faysal Bank Noor, HBL, Jazzcash, Meezan Bank and UBL will be able to add their cards to Google Wallet and pay with their Android phones or Wear OS devices wherever contactless payments are accepted.
The development comes as Pakistan’s digital payment infrastructure records significant growth. As per the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) Quarterly Payment Systems Review (PSR) for Q1 FY25, digital channels now account for an impressive 87 percent of retail payments by volume, signalling a significant shift in consumer behaviour and growing confidence in digital transactions.
Covering the period from July to September 2024, the report mentioned robust growth in digital payment adoption, infrastructure development, and a gradual shift away from cash and paper-based instruments.
How to use Google Wallet in Pakistan
Google Wallet in Pakistan is easy to use. Simply download Google Wallet from the Google Play Store. If you already have an eligible credit or debit card saved it to your Google account, it will automatically appear in Google Wallet. Simply follow the on-screen steps to set it up for contactless payments.
If you don’t have a card saved and would like to add a new one, tap “Add a card” in the carousel at the top of the page. Then, review and accept the issuer’s terms and conditions and complete the verification process. Your card will then be tokenized and ready for use in Google Wallet.
Google Wallet in Pakistan
Google Wallet provides people with a safer, simpler, and more helpful payment experience and supports digital items such as loyalty cards and boarding passes as well. Here are the bank cards you can currently add to Google Wallet/Google Pay.
* Bank AlFalah (Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards)
* Bank of Punjab (Mastercard credit cards)
* Faysal Bank Noor (Mastercard debit cards)
* HBL (Visa and Mastercard debit and credit cards)
* Jazzcash (Mastercard debit cards)
* Meezan Bank (Visa and Mastercard debit cards)
* UBL (Visa and Mastercard debit cards)
Additionally, these bank cards will be available on Google Pay soon:
* Allied Bank (Visa debit cards)
* Easypaisa Digital Bank (Visa debit cards)
* JS Bank (Visa credit cards and Mastercard debit cards)
* Zindigi (Visa debit and credit cards, and Mastercard debit cards) will be able to add their cards to Google Wallet in Pakistan soon.
Soon, online merchants like Onic, Gul Ahmed, Sana Safinaz, J. and KE will also be available with PayFast’s integration with Google Pay, and businesses using Safepay’s platform.
You can also add boarding passes from Batik Air and Thai Airways to Google Wallet in Pakistan. This allows travellers to be notified of departure time and gate changes to ensure a hassle-free experience at the airport. Furthermore, they will be able to tap and pay securely using Google Wallet during their overseas travel.