By Shaheen Hashim
KARACHI: PayFast celebrated eight years of operations at NASTP in Karachi with the launch of Rah-e-Raast, a new initiative enabling QR-based payments at the point of delivery. The move aims to help businesses reduce reliance on cash and support Pakistan’s transition to a digital economy.
Since its founding, PayFast has facilitated secure and scalable digital transactions for thousands of merchants across e-commerce, retail, and services. The platform said it has contributed significantly to the country’s push towards a cashless economy.
The Rah-e-Raast initiative was launched in partnership with Unity Retail and SLG Trax, reflecting an ecosystem-driven approach to digitising last-mile commerce. The programme aligns with the Prime Minister’s vision for a cashless Pakistan and is supported by Karandaaz Pakistan to expand QR deployment nationwide.
“Eight years ago, PayFast set out to simplify how businesses accept and manage payments in Pakistan,” said CEO Adnan Ali. “Today, with Rah-e-Raast and our expanding suite of tools, we are helping merchants digitise everyday transactions, especially at the last mile where cash has traditionally dominated.”
PayFast’s portfolio includes Raast rails, QR acceptance, Google Pay, payment links, invoicing solutions, checkout tools, and a payment gateway. The company operates under Premier Systems Limited, led by CEO Syed Arshad Raza.
The event brought together public- and private-sector stakeholders. Sohail Jawad, executive director of the State Bank of Pakistan, highlighted the importance of policy and industry collaboration. “Expanding digital acceptance—particularly for deliveries—builds trust, transparency, and convenience for businesses and consumers alike,” he said.
Taimur Ali, group head of DFS Projects at Karandaaz Pakistan, added that scaling QR acceptance is essential to integrating digital payments into everyday commerce. “Partnerships that bring QR payments into real customer journeys help merchants grow while reducing dependence on cash,” he said.
The celebration also recognized long-standing brand partners including Sana Safinaz, Ticketwala, GulAhmed, and K-Electric, alongside key ecosystem partners such as Easypaisa, JazzCash, Faysal Bank, and Bank Alfalah. Commemorative shields were presented to select partners for their support in expanding digital acceptance and strengthening real-world payment adoption.
The programme concluded with a panel discussion on the future of digital payments and e-commerce in Pakistan. Moderated by Mahwish Saad Khan, chief business officer at PayFast, the discussion explored how QR payments can be scaled in last-mile deliveries, with attention to merchant onboarding, customer experience, settlement processes, and ecosystem partnerships needed to accelerate trust and adoption nationwide.
