Pakistani freelancers will now have access to PayPal, streamlining international transactions and bolstering the nation’s burgeoning freelance economy. Additionally, Pakistan advances its National Space Policy, opening doors for satellite communication and aiming for 5G services by July.

In a landmark decision set to invigorate Pakistan’s freelance industry, freelancers in the nation can now seamlessly receive payments via PayPal, a leading global online payment platform. This move is poised to catalyze the country’s growing freelance sector, offering a streamlined approach to international transactions.

Dr. Umar Saif, the caretaker Minister for Information and Technology, highlighted the significance of this development, emphasizing the longstanding demand by Pakistani freelancers for PayPal’s integration. He elucidated the mechanics, stating that freelancers won’t necessarily need to create individual PayPal accounts. Instead, international clients can directly transfer funds to their accounts, simplifying the payment process.

Beyond the freelance arena, Dr. Saif shed light on Pakistan’s progressive strides in space technology. He unveiled the nation’s inaugural space policy approved by the federal cabinet, which paves the way for international companies to provide communication services via low-orbit satellites. This innovative approach, utilizing satellites closer to Earth, promises enhanced communication capabilities compared to traditional geostationary satellites.

Dr. Saif articulated the transformative potential of this policy, noting the rapid advancements in satellite communication technology globally. With the infrastructure and private sector interest aligning, Pakistan stands on the brink of a new era in communication.

Discussing further advancements, Dr. Saif expressed optimism about Pakistan’s 5G rollout, targeting a launch by July. He emphasized the necessity of augmenting the country’s optic fibre network to support this transition, revealing plans to connect a significant portion of mobile towers.

Highlighting the government’s commitment to nurturing IT talent, Dr. Saif revealed collaborative efforts with esteemed institutions. A notable initiative includes the revamping of IT education in universities, aiming to produce industry-ready professionals. Moreover, plans are underway to establish 10,000 e-Rozgar centers nationwide, dedicated hubs equipped with state-of-the-art facilities for freelancers and startups.

Concluding his address, Dr. Saif underscored the pivotal role of the IT and telecom sector in Pakistan’s economy. While the official IT export stands at $2.6 billion, he indicated the actual figures could surpass $5 billion, considering the industry’s external expenditures. The government remains steadfast in its endeavors to propel Pakistan’s tech landscape to new heights.

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Pakistan’s leading digital payments app, Easypaisa has partnered with the fastest growing fintech, PayFast, in pursuit of disrupting digital payments. Easypaisa wallet users can now pay online using PayFast’s indigenous payment gateway.

Approved for Pilot Operations by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), PayFast empowers multi-instrument acceptance of Scheme Cards, Mobile Wallets, and Bank Account Numbers. They address merchant pain points, through the digital sign up, robust APIs & plugins, Fraud detection, PCI-DSS certified infrastructure, and PayLinks, digital billing and invoicing solution ideal for FB, merchants, freelancers, etc. to accept payment simply via a unique link.

Easypaisa is Pakistan’s first and largest branchless banking service with millions of customers using the Easypaisa App to carry out their financial transactions with a range from fund transfers, bill payments, airtime top-ups as well as retail and online merchant payments. Any customer with a smartphone user can download the Easypaisa App and setup their wallet within seconds to start doing transactions.

Easypaisa is also connected to the 1-Link switch for inter-bank fund transfers and customers can get an Easypaisa Debit Card which can be used for cash withdrawal at any ATM across Pakistan or for payments at any merchant accepting card payments.

Steps to pay via PayFast:

1. Add an item to cart from one of the PayFast merchant partner’s eCommerce store.
2. On the checkout page, select “PayFast”.
3. Once redirected, go to the “Mobile Wallets” tab and select Easypaisa.
4. Add your credentials (wallet number/email address).
5. Authorize the payment through the USSD prompt or Easypaisa app.
6. Once verified, the order will be paid successfully.

Adnan Ali, CEO of PayFast, said in a statement, “Easypaisa is one of the most renowned payment apps in Pakistan, we believe this partnership will benefit greatly for the masses which are adapting to the changing paradigm of demand for online payments, post COVID-19. I believe that this partnership will help PayFast reach closer to its potential of becoming a universal payment gateway solution.”

1. Mudassar Aqil, CEO Easypaisa / Telenor Microfinance Bank also commented on the development, “In the past few months, the importance of digital payments has come to light rather significantly. Businesses and individuals are gearing up to use such digital platforms to conduct convenient and seamless financial transactions. We at Easypaisa believe that collaboration and technology can collectively be used to magnify the impact that we can make. Through our partnership with PayFast, we have taken yet another step in redefining the way Pakistanis transact”.

For further information on PayFast or Easypaisa, you can visit their websites; apps.net.pk or easypaisa.com.pk

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This is the same company who had launched Mobile Point of Sale in 2015 in association with Habib Bank Limited.

The Master Card of office was established in Karachi. The company aims to make its business strong and stable in Middle East and African regions.

MasterCard that is a technology company in the global payments industry is going to provide people of Pakistan wider range of payment services. It will provide services like debit cards, credit cards, prepaid offers, MasterCard Payment Gateway Services, MasterCard Rewards Solutions and digital payment solutions through its newly-established dedicated office. The company knows how to satisfy their customers as company is stable in Middle East since the 1990s.

The master card has 17 issuers who are availing both services the credit and debit card services. Not just this but MasterCard also has launched a first interoperable digital payment service. This service allows the users to send a wider range of money through their mobiles that means transfer of money is just one click away. It is very secure operating system and is reliable.

The MCB Bank and Bank Alfalah are the banks having the facilities provided by MasterCard. Meezan Bank is heard to be the next authority which could deal with MasterCard, but at a smaller level with less range of amount. This is the facility that could be availed be small business men across Pakistan.

This is a versatile way of transaction of money that makes it easy for business men to deal in greater amount of money with greater benefits and less loss.

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