Mobilink Bank, JazzCash inaugurate Chaklala Scheme-III Cashless Bazaar in Rawalpindi

ISLAMABAD: Mobilink Bank, Pakistan’s leading digital microfinance bank in collaboration with JazzCash, Pakistan’s leading digital financial services platform, has inaugurated the Chaklala Scheme-III Cashless Bazaar in Rawalpindi, covering 900 shops & carts, accelerating the push towards realizing the Prime Minister’s vision of a cashless economy led by State Bank of Pakistan. This step extends digital financial infrastructure into everyday marketplaces, making transactions simpler while empowering communities.

The inauguration ceremony was graced by Brigadier Syed Ali Anjum, Station Commander Rawalpindi, as the Chief Guest. The event was also attended by Rizwan Khaleel Shamsi, Joint Director at the State Bank of Pakistan, Atta Ur Rehman, Chief Business Officer at Mobilink Bank, as well as senior leadership from JazzCash and Mobilink Bank, along with local merchants and community members.

A core component of this transformation is the deployment of Raast-enabled QR codes across the bazaar. This allows merchants to accept instant, secure payments directly from mobile wallets, significantly reducing the hassle of handling physical cash. For the customers, it offers a seamless checkout experience with real-time fund transfers, making everyday shopping faster and more secure. Mobilink Bank will open Business Plus accounts for participating retailers and offer a suite of solutions, including health and fire insurance, SME loans, and solar and EV financing.

Commenting on the initiative, President and CEO of Mobilink Bank, Haaris M. Chaudhary emphasised, “With our digital-first approach at Mobilink Bank, we believe a cashless economy must start where everyday commerce happens - in our local bazaars. This initiative will bring small merchants into a more secure, inclusive financial system. With on-ground enablement through fintech platforms like JazzCash, we are making transactions simpler and advancing digital financial inclusion at scale,”

Murtaza Ali, CEO of JazzCash, said, “The realization of the Prime Minister’s vision for a cashless economy depends on the effective digitization of high-frequency commerce. Bazaars represent the highest concentration of daily transactions in Pakistan, and JazzCash is at the center of this shift, supported by a nationwide network of over 1 million Raast-enabled QR merchants. By bringing seamless digital payments into these spaces, we are helping merchants transition into a formal, connected financial system. This evolution improves everyday lives by making financial services more accessible, reliable, and inclusive for millions of citizens.”

The Chaklala Scheme-III Cashless Bazaar serves as a scalable blueprint for how localized interventions can drive national transformation. By combining government vision with robust digital infrastructure and effective on-ground execution, JazzCash and Mobilink Bank are accelerating Pakistan’s journey toward a truly cashless economy.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2026