LAHORE: E-payment network 1LINK has partnered with online ticketing startup Bookme.pk for 1LINK – 1BILL aggregation services to simplify digital payments for online booking of tickets across Pakistan.
The partnership, which aims to cater to the growing consumer demand for convenient and cost-effective digital payment options, is particularly significant during the Covid-19 outbreak; social distancing has been advised to prevent the spread of the virus.
“There is a seismic shift in consumer behaviour towards efficient and secure digital payment platforms during Covid-19 across the country. Customers expect secure and frictionless online experiences and we are trying to build a customer-centric platform to cater to their needs,” said Bookme.pk CEO Faizan Aslam.
The partnership is expected to further drive the digital payments landscape in Pakistan and will facilitate customers looking to buy online tickets for bus, cinema, airline and events.
In its SOPs issued on May 19, the Punjab government had also urged the use of online ticketing for inter-city bus travel.
Users will be able to make real-time online payments for their tickets through 1LINK member banks’ respective digital banking channels including mobile and internet banking channels. Once a customer’s payment is confirmed, e-tickets will be issued instantly for further use.
“We are delighted to partner with Pakistan’s largest switch and payment system to simplify digital payments and create a seamless and frictionless online payment experience for our e-ticketing customers,” said Faizan.
1LINK CEO Najeeb Agrawalla commented, “Pakistan is moving towards a digitised society and 1LINK is fully committed to creating avenues for this shift. This collaboration with Bookme for bill aggregation services will fuel the drive towards digitisation of payments, especially in the post-COVID-19 environment. We are confident that users will be appreciative of the expediency that 1LINK – 1BILL proposition brings to the payments industry.”
