NBP Launches Digital Passport Fee Payments via Raast QR
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has enabled passport fee collections through Raast’s Person‑to‑Merchant QR code, expanding digital payment services and supporting the Cashless Pakistan agenda.
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Desk Analysis
How This Affects the Exchange
Sector Effect
Positive · Buy bias
Banks sector positive as NBP gains transaction volume and visibility; Buy bias on NBP.
Sectors & Direction
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Desk call: Buy bias · Positively affected
- BanksPositively affected
Companies
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Sectors: Banks — Positive · Buy bias. PSX tickers: NBP. Banks sector positive as NBP gains transaction volume and visibility; Buy bias on NBP.
Full Story
Open on ProPakistani## NBP Introduces Raast QR for Passport Fees
National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) has rolled out a new digital channel that allows citizens to pay passport fees using the Raast Person‑to‑Merchant (P2M) QR code. The service is available through the mobile banking apps of all participating banks, giving users a quick, cash‑free way to settle government fees.
## Alignment with Government’s Cashless Initiative
The move is part of NBP’s broader digital transformation strategy and aligns with the Government of Pakistan’s Cashless Pakistan programme, which aims to increase the share of electronic payments in the economy and digitise government collections.
## Official Review and Future Plans
Ch. Muhammad Ali Randhawa, Director General of Immigration & Passports, visited NBP’s head office in Karachi to review the pilot’s performance. He met with senior NBP officials including SEVP & Group Chief/CFO Abdul Wahid Sethi, SEVP & Group Chief Operations Faisal Topra, and CDO & Group Chief Digital Banking Adnan Nasir. The discussion covered the success of the Raast‑based solution and explored additional digital options, such as a PSID‑based payment mechanism, to further streamline passport fee collection.
## NBP’s Perspective
Abdul Wahid Sethi emphasized that digital transformation is essential for delivering more accessible and efficient public services. He reiterated NBP’s commitment to supporting the government’s digital payments agenda and leveraging technology to simplify financial services for citizens.
## Government Feedback
The Director General of Immigration & Passports praised NBP’s collaboration, noting that the initiative enhances public‑service delivery and modernises government‑related collections.
## Implications for the Banking Sector
The successful implementation reinforces NBP’s role as a key enabler of interoperable digital payments in Pakistan. It also showcases the growing adoption of Raast, the country’s instant payment system, across both private and public sectors.