Karachi, Pakistan, January 29, 2025: Visa (NYSE: V), a world leader in digital payments hosted its inaugural market focused client event – Visa Connect Karachi – last week. Attended by more than 200 participants including senior members of the State Bank of Pakistan and the Pakistani financial industry, it marked the first event of its kind for Visa in the North Africa, Levant and Pakistan (NALP) region.
Several regional experts presented insightful sessions on trends related to digital payments, unlocking business growth opportunities, new product solutions and AI-enabled digital experiences. A high-level panel with senior officials from government and banking also spoke to the needs of effective public and private sector partnerships. 
Umar Khan, Country Manager, for Visa in Pakistan and Afghanistan remarked, “Pakistan is accelerating its digitization journey and Visa Connect is a testament to our commitment to driving innovation and supporting our clients in navigating the evolving digital landscape. The event provided a platform for networking and knowledge sharing among industry leaders and clients, enabling us to have conversations that brought Visa’s global and regional insights to find solutions for local needs. We are energized by the conversations that took place at Visa Connect Karachi and the progress that we will bring as an industry as we continue to shape the future of commerce in Pakistan.”
Mr. Saleem Ullah, Deputy Governor (Finance, Inclusion & Innovation) of the State Bank of Pakistan, emphasized the significance of the event, stating, “Visa Connect Karachi was a tremendous opportunity to interact with the senior leaders of Pakistan’s financial industry. It provided a platform to discuss the critical advancements and challenges within our sector. By focusing on mutually beneficial partnerships, we can significantly impact the financial landscape of Pakistan. Such collaborations are essential for fostering innovation and helps pave the way for a more robust and inclusive financial ecosystem that benefits everyone involved.”
