The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched its “Go Cashless” campaign during Eid-ul-Azha to encourage digital payments across 123 cattle markets nationwide. The initiative resulted in more than 480,000 transactions valued at over Rs. 34 billion conducted through various digital platforms and instruments.
Building on similar efforts in 2024 and 2025, this year’s campaign saw a significant expansion, with the number of participating cattle markets increasing from 54 in 2025 to 123 in 2026, marking a major step forward in promoting cashless transactions in traditionally cash-heavy sectors.
As part of the campaign, 22 banks set up dedicated camps within cattle markets to assist traders, allied service providers, and transporters in adopting digital payment methods. These banks utilized biometric verification to onboard users onto digital platforms and provided QR codes to facilitate receipt generation for online payments.
Additionally, Mobile Banking Vans equipped with ATMs, cash counters, and Cash Deposit Machines (CDMs) were deployed at selected markets. These services allowed merchants to deposit excess cash directly into the banking system, reducing physical currency circulation and boosting digital transaction volumes.
SBP teams were present around the clock to support bank staff and promptly address any operational challenges. Furthermore, transaction limits were temporarily raised from May 14 to June 5, 2026, enabling merchants to carry out higher-value transactions with ease.
The campaign achieved a remarkable increase in activity compared to the previous year, with transactions surging more than sevenfold from approximately 65,000 in 2025 to 481,000 in 2026. The total transaction value also jumped from Rs. 4.6 billion to Rs. 34 billion. Moreover, around 12,500 new accounts were opened for cattle farmers and related service providers during this period.
This impressive growth highlights growing public trust in digital payment channels and underscores the effectiveness of SBP’s strategy to digitize sectors traditionally reliant on cash. The success of the initiative has reinforced confidence in digital financial services and established a solid foundation for the continued adoption of secure, efficient, and inclusive digital payment solutions in high-volume, seasonal markets across Pakistan.
