Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, met with a delegation from Mastercard on Wednesday in Islamabad. According to a press release issued by the finance ministry, the meeting aimed to discuss opportunities for strengthening cooperation in digital payments, financial inclusion, and cybersecurity as part of Pakistan's efforts to promote a cashless economy.
The Mastercard delegation was led by Division President, East Arabia, Mark Elliott. During the meeting, Senator Aurangzeb expressed appreciation for Mastercard’s "longstanding engagement with Pakistan’s financial sector" and its "continued interest in supporting the country’s digital transformation." He noted the government's commitment to expanding digital payments, improving access to financial services, and promoting transparency and efficiency across the economy.
Senator Aurangzeb underscored the importance of the Prime Minister’s cashless economy initiative. He emphasized that digital financial solutions are vital for supporting agriculture, small and medium enterprises, and other underserved segments of the economy. He stated that expanding the reach of these services would be "essential for achieving financial inclusion on a larger scale."
The discussion also covered opportunities to improve cross-border remittances, strengthen digital payment infrastructure, and enhance cybersecurity. Senator Aurangzeb stressed that "cybersecurity and fraud prevention must remain central to the development of a secure and resilient digital financial ecosystem."
Mark Elliott reaffirmed Mastercard’s "long-term commitment to Pakistan" and expressed the company's interest in using its "global expertise and technological capabilities" to support the country’s digital transformation. He pointed out opportunities for further collaboration in areas including remittances, cybersecurity, and digital payment acceptance.
Senator Aurangzeb welcomed Mastercard’s continued investment and engagement in Pakistan, reiterating the government's commitment to public-private partnerships and innovation. Both sides expressed a resolve to maintain close engagement to explore practical avenues of cooperation for Pakistan’s digital economy.
The Mastercard delegation also included Arslan Khan, Country Manager, Pakistan and Afghanistan, and Jibran Jamshad, Director Public Sector, Pakistan and Afghanistan.
