The announcement, made at an event in Quetta, follows months of speculation about NayaPay's plans for 2027.
Analysts at CreditBook estimate that the addressable market could be worth $50 million by 2028, driven by a young population and rising smartphone ownership.
Universities are responding too. NUST has added new courses in gaming, and enrolment in computer science programmes rose 22% this year.
How the deal came together
The challenge now is execution. Previous attempts to build large-scale technology infrastructure in the country have stalled because of financing gaps and bureaucratic delays.
"The infrastructure gap is real, but it is closing faster than most people realise."
Sana Malik, co-founder at Techlogix
Investors remain cautiously optimistic. Total venture funding into Pakistani startups reached $12 million in Q1 2026, the strongest quarter since 2022.
Key takeaways
Government officials welcomed the development. A spokesperson for NADRA said the initiative "aligns with the national digital agenda" and promised faster approvals for similar projects.
Key points
- Rollout begins in Sialkot and Multan before expanding nationwide
- Competitors including TPL Trakker are expected to respond within months
- Regulatory approval from the Pakistan Software Export Board still pending
- Partnership with NED University to train local engineers
Industry observers say the timing is significant. Pakistan's edtech sector grew 15% last year, according to the State Bank of Pakistan, even as venture funding across South Asia slowed sharply.
Security experts have urged users to enable two-factor authentication and to update their apps promptly, noting that attackers increasingly target mobile-first markets.
Reporting by the WritePures newsroom. Have a tip? Contact our editors.
3 Comments
Join the conversation
Replying to