ISLAMABAD — September 16, 2025: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday inaugurated the Mashreq Digital Bank, calling it a landmark step toward Pakistan’s full economic digitalisation and the promotion of a cashless economy.
Speaking at the inaugural ceremony, the premier described digital transformation as a “necessity of the modern era” and stressed that the new bank would play a vital role in modernising Pakistan’s financial sector.
Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif addresses the inaugural ceremony of Mashreq Digital Bank in Pakistan. pic.twitter.com/jLI3KgK9Zy
— Government of Pakistan (@GovtofPakistan) September 16, 2025
Digitalization Key to Transparency and Growth
PM Shehbaz highlighted that Pakistan’s youth, who form a large share of the population, are the country’s greatest asset. He emphasised that reducing human intervention in financial processes and shifting to paperless systems were crucial to ensuring transparency, accelerating progress, and strengthening the economy.
“The establishment of Mashreq Digital Bank is not just another development; it is a milestone for our journey towards a modern, efficient and cashless economy,” he remarked.
High-Level Participation at Ceremony
The event saw participation from senior government officials and banking leaders, including:
- Federal Minister for Finance Muhammad Aurangzeb
- Federal Minister for Planning and Development Ahsan Iqbal
- Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik
- Federal Minister for Railways Hanif Abbasi
- Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Junaid Anwar
- Governor State Bank of Pakistan Jameel Ahmad
- Finance Secretary Imdad Ullah Bosal
The premier welcomed Mashreq as the second licensed digital bank in Pakistan and lauded the UAE’s support for Pakistan’s economic and social progress.
Economic Reforms and Foreign Investment
Finance Minister Aurangzeb noted that under PM Shehbaz’s leadership, Pakistan was on the path to stability, with international rating agencies confirming improvements in the country’s economic outlook. He said that the government is committed to fostering reforms and enabling foreign investment.
Mashreq Bank’s Chairman, Abdulaziz Al Ghurair, said the bank was proud to join Pakistan’s reform journey and contribute to economic development. CEO Mohammad Humayun Sajjad highlighted that digital payments in Pakistan had surged by 30% in the past year, signaling strong demand and growth potential in the digital banking sector.
A Boost for Digital Pakistan
The inauguration marked the beginning of Mashreq Digital Bank’s operations in Pakistan. The prime minister and Abdulaziz Al Ghurair jointly unveiled the bank, signaling a new era in Pakistan’s financial landscape.
With growing youth adoption of digital services and increasing mobile transactions, experts believe the bank will be instrumental in expanding financial inclusion and accelerating digitalisation across the country.
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