The Pakistani government is preparing to enter a strategic partnership with Chinese e-commerce giant Alibaba next week, aiming to enhance the country’s global export footprint. The collaboration will focus on strengthening Pakistan’s digital supply chain infrastructure by integrating secure, real-time digital payment systems like Raast, Pakistan’s instant payment platform.
Speaking at the 18th International Conference on ‘Mobile Commerce 2025’ in Karachi, Faiz Ahmad, CEO of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP), announced the upcoming partnership with Alibaba. He noted that it would transform how Pakistani products are discovered, sold, and delivered internationally, likening Alibaba’s role to that of Amazon in the global e-commerce landscape.
Ahmad outlined the vision of building a unified digital supply chain, powered by digital payments through systems like Raast. He illustrated the idea with a real-world scenario: a small business in Skardu receives a bulk order through Alibaba, gets instant payment via Raast, pays suppliers in Karachi through the same wallet, and manages inventory digitally, all without relying on banks or cash. He emphasized that this digital commerce model is not a theoretical concept, but an actionable and scalable solution already in progress.
He added that both TDAP and the Ministry of Commerce view this digital transformation not only as a policy objective but as a “national imperative,” reinforcing their commitment to making it a reality.
During the conference, Faisal Mahmood from Karandaaz Pakistan raised concerns about the State Bank of Pakistan’s readiness to run pilot programs through its regulatory sandbox. He questioned whether SBP has sufficient funding, technical resources, and expertise to support innovation testing effectively.
The SBP had issued sandbox guidelines in May 2025, inviting banks, fintechs, and startups to test digital solutions in a relaxed regulatory environment during controlled trials.
Ali Imran Khan, Deputy CIO of Meezan Bank, spoke on the importance of open banking as the future of financial services. He explained that it allows banks to securely share customer data with third parties, paving the way for customized and innovative financial solutions.
Meanwhile, Muhammad Hamayun Sajjad, CEO of Mashreq Pakistan, acknowledged that although cash has traditionally dominated, digitalization is no longer optional, it is essential for economic progress.
The conference featured four key panel discussions: the role of regulatory sandboxes in financial innovation; the shift from legacy systems to open banking; advancements in payments and e-commerce technologies; and the growing importance of digital wallets in Pakistan’s economy.
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