PM Kakar sounds note of optimism on financial inclusion

Prime Minister Anwaarul Haq Kakar said on Tuesday Pakistan is leading in terms of the opening of bank accounts in Edison Alliance’s global financial inclusion goal of providing one billion people with affordable digital solutions by 2030. Speaking at a webinar held in connection with the Spotlight Pakistan Day by the World Economic Forum on the success of the Virtual Remittance Gateway’s (VRG) Asaan Mobile Account scheme, the premier said the platform allows Pakistanis to open bank accounts hassle-free by using a short code on a basic phone without any internet connectivity. “More than 8.5 million Pakistanis without the internet have opened bank accounts. This number is growing by four to five thousand every day,” Mr Kakar said. Established in 2013, VRG is a third-party service provider (TPSP) that has developed cost-effective products to provide convenience in payments to unbanked/low-end customers.