Hajra Naz
With the launch of Google Pay on March 12, Pakistan’s development in the field of digital payments is likely to witness rapid advancement. Reports suggest that senior officials of Google will be landing in Karachi during the launch, which will mark another achievement in Pakistan’s progress towards becoming a cashless economy.
On the same night of the launch, Visa, the global payment services provider, will host a private event showcasing how Google Pay is probably going to change the payments landscape of Pakistan. Some banks have finished their preparations and made it possible for the service to be launched through the banks.
Google Pay’s Role in Pakistan’s Digital Payments Revolution
The cashless payment industry in Pakistan has expanded significantly in the last few years, fueled by the proliferation of smart phones, availability of the internet, and state-sponsored financial inclusion policies. Even with such progress, cash is still king, and digital wallets and mobile banking applications are rarely used. However, the launch of Google Pay is likely to push the transition towards more secure, effortless, and contactless payment solutions.
How Google Pay Works
From the comfort of their smartphones, users can pay bills, exchange cash, make purchases, and conduct online and offline transactions on Google Pay. The platform permits users to connect their bank cards or accounts to the app for simple day-to-day installments by partnering with local banks and fintech companies. The service operates within the broader Google Wallet ecosystem, supporting:
- Loyalty cards
- Boarding passes
- Other digital items.
Read More: What is Google Pay and Why it is a better option?
Setting Up Google Pay in Pakistan
Getting started with Google Wallet is simple:
- Download Google Wallet from the Play Store.
- If an eligible card is saved to your Google account, it will automatically appear in Google Wallet.
- Follow on-screen steps to enable contactless payments.
- To add a new card, tap “Add a card”, accept the issuer’s terms, complete verification, and tokenize the card for payments.
Banks Supporting Google Pay in Pakistan
At launch, users can add cards from the following banks:
- Bank AlFalah (Visa & Mastercard debit/credit cards)
- Bank of Punjab (Mastercard credit cards)
- Faysal Bank Noor (Mastercard debit cards)
- HBL (Visa & Mastercard debit/credit cards)
- JazzCash (Mastercard debit cards)
- Meezan Bank (Visa & Mastercard debit cards)
- UBL (Visa & Mastercard debit cards)
Coming Soon:
- Allied Bank (Visa debit cards)
- Easypaisa Digital Bank (Visa debit cards)
- JS Bank (Visa credit & Mastercard debit cards)
- Zindigi (Visa debit/credit & Mastercard debit cards)
These banks will soon enable Google Wallet compatibility, allowing users to make contactless payments via Android phones and Wear OS devices wherever Google Pay is accepted.
Merchants and Services Adopting Google Pay
Several online merchants are set to integrate Google Pay via PayFast and Safepay, including:
- Onic
- Gul Ahmed
- Sana Safinaz
- J.
- Karachi Electric (KE)
Now, users can also securely tap and pay while traveling overseas on certain airlines. Google Wallet moreover permits travelers to add boarding passes from Batik Airline and Thai Airways, so clients can track gate and flight time changes in real time.
Conclusion
The dispatch of Google Pay in Pakistan is a step forward toward a cashless economy as it empowers users to make installments in a more secure, quick, and cost-effective way. Its integration with nearby banks, fintech companies, and dealers makes Google Pay a pioneer in changing the whole financial scene of Pakistan, welcoming other worldwide innovation enterprises to contribute in the country.
