Islamabad: In a push to reduce reliance on cash and encourage digital financial inclusion, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a nationwide “Go Cashless” campaign targeting cattle markets ahead of Eid-ul-Adha.
Running from May 20 to June 6, or until Eid night, the campaign is aimed at promoting the use of digital payment solutions in 54 designated cattle markets across the country. These markets see a surge in transactions during the Eid season, particularly for the purchase of sacrificial animals.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with the banking industry and is part of SBP’s broader agenda to accelerate the adoption of digital payments nationwide.
This year’s campaign builds on the success of similar efforts in 2024, with the SBP reporting increased awareness and usage of digital channels among both buyers and merchants. In addition to animal purchases, digital payments are now being encouraged for related services such as feed, water, and parking.
To further facilitate digital transactions during this high-activity period, the SBP has temporarily eased transaction limits from May 19 to June 15, 2025. Key updates include:
Branchless Banking Level-1 Accounts, Asaan Account/Asaan Digital Account, and Merchant Accounts will have no daily transaction limits.
The monthly transaction limit for these accounts has been raised to PKR 5 million.
Digital payment platforms like Raast — which has already processed over 892 million transactions — are central to this drive, providing a fast, secure, and cost-free channel for digital transfers.
The SBP is urging the public to adopt these digital services to ensure safer, more efficient transactions during the Eid period. Officials emphasized that going cashless not only enhances convenience but also contributes to building a more inclusive and modern financial ecosystem across Pakistan.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
