Aurangzeb, Visa president hold talks on digital payments at WEF

Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb on Wednesday met Visa Group President Oliver Jenkyn on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting to discuss digital payments, financial innovation and Pakistan’s move toward a digitally driven economy, the Finance Division said.

The two sides reviewed Pakistan’s evolving economic environment and its engagement with global payment networks, with Aurangzeb highlighting the government’s focus on policy consistency and a clear reform roadmap to support digital transformation.

The finance minister said the government was strengthening connectivity, financial infrastructure and regulatory frameworks to expand the digital ecosystem and encourage greater private sector participation. He added that collaboration between global payment platforms and local solutions would be key to accelerating financial inclusion and wider digital adoption.

Aurangzeb also pointed to ongoing reforms aimed at improving transparency, documenting economic activity and digitising multiple sectors, saying these efforts were creating opportunities for trusted international partners. He said the establishment of dedicated digital and regulatory institutions reflected the government’s intent to position Pakistan as a “Digital Nation.”

Jenkyn reaffirmed Visa’s long-term commitment to Pakistan and expressed interest in supporting the country’s next phase of growth through secure payment solutions, innovation and knowledge transfer. He noted the global shift toward digital payments and said policy clarity, openness and an enabling environment were critical for scaling innovation.

He also underscored the role of global platforms such as Visa in providing security standards, resilience and scalable solutions, and stressed the importance of balanced cooperation between governments, regulators and the private sector. Jenkyn said Visa was ready to share global best practices as financial technologies evolve.

Both sides agreed to remain closely engaged as digital finance continues to develop globally and locally, expressing confidence that sustained collaboration would lead to practical, market-ready solutions in the coming years.