Top payment methods in Pakistan: A guide on best ways to pay
Wondering what the most popular ways to pay are in Pakistan? Explore the top payment options and choose wisely.
Pakistan, with a population of around 240.54 million people, has a GDP of approximately 337.91 billion making it the 45th largest economy in the world. The official currency of Pakistan is the Pakistani Rupee (PKR)
A diversified economy with key sectors in textiles, agriculture, and services, supported by significant remittances. China is its largest trading partner, particularly through the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor (CPEC), along with the EU and UAE.
| Country | Pakistan |
|---|---|
| Population | 240.54 million |
| GDP (USD) | 337.91 billion |
| Global Ranking | 45th |
| Currency | Pakistani Rupee (PKR) |
Spend abroad with the mid-market exchange rate - no markups, and no sneaky transaction fees.
What is the main payment method in Pakistan?
The king of payments in Pakistan is physical cash, the Rupee, which is used for the vast majority of all transactions. Mobile wallets like Easypaisa and JazzCash are leading the digital charge, enabling peer-to-peer transfers and bill payments, and are crucial for financial inclusion. Raast, Pakistan's instant payment system, is also growing in popularity for its fee-free, real-time transfers between bank accounts.
How to pay in Pakistan
Each country has its own way of moving money, and choosing the right method can sometimes be difficult. That’s why we have curated the most popular and best payment options for you to use in Pakistan.
| Payment Method | Description | Type |
|---|---|---|
| Wise | Wise provides international money transfer services. It is known for offering transparent, low-cost currency exchange rates and fast transfers. Wise uses the mid-market exchange rate and charges a small, upfront fee, making it a cost-effective alternative to traditional banks for sending money abroad. The platform also offers multi-currency accounts, allowing users to hold and manage money in multiple currencies. | Online/In-person |
| Cash (Pakistani Rupee) | Cash is the king and the overwhelmingly dominant payment method for all types of transactions throughout the country. | In-person |
| Bank Transfers (Raast) | Raast is Pakistan's instant payment system, enabling real-time, low-cost transfers between bank accounts and mobile wallets, and is growing rapidly. | Online |
| Mobile Wallets (JazzCash, Easypaisa) | Mobile wallets are a leading form of digital payment, providing essential financial services like P2P transfers and bill payments to millions. | Online |
| Cards (PayPak, Visa, Mastercard) | The domestic card scheme, PayPak, co-exists with international cards. Card usage is growing but is still low compared to cash and wallets. | Online/In-person |
Is PayPal available in Pakistan?
No, PayPal is unfortunately not accepted in Pakistan.
Cover all your international travel expenses with the Wise Multi-Currency Card
Whatever you need to buy during your trip, whether it’s a travel adapter, train ticket or an extra bottle of sunscreen, the Wise Multi-Currency Card has you covered.
You can spend like a local in 150+ countries, as this clever contactless card automatically converts currency at the mid-market exchange rate whenever you spend - for just a small conversion fee.
And for extra convenience, you can add your Wise Multi-Currency Card to your Google Wallet or Apple Wallet. Then you can travel even lighter and pay using just your phone, with no need to pack the physical card.
Please see terms of use and product availability for your region or visit Wise fees and pricing for the most up to date pricing and fee information.
This publication is provided for general information purposes and does not constitute legal, tax or other professional advice from Wise Payments Limited or its subsidiaries and its affiliates, and it is not intended as a substitute for obtaining advice from a financial advisor or any other professional.
We make no representations, warranties or guarantees, whether expressed or implied, that the content in the publication is accurate, complete or up to date.