Starting today, October 25, 2025, Pakistani citizens who haven’t completed biometric verification for their digital bank accounts or mobile wallets may find their services stopped or restricted. This change comes as new regulations from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) officially take effect.
The SBP announced these rules through BPRD Circular No. 1 of 2025. The regulations apply to all financial institutions regulated by the State Bank, including regular banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), microfinance banks (MFBs), digital banks, and electronic money institutions (EMIs) that operate mobile wallets.
The main purpose of these new regulations is to improve customer onboarding procedures and make account opening processes more secure and standardized across all financial institutions in Pakistan. Security and proper customer identification are essential to prevent fraud and money laundering.
Under the new rules, biometric verification has become the primary and mandatory method for confirming customer identity. Biometric verification typically involves fingerprint scanning or facial recognition to ensure the person opening an account is who they claim to be.
This represents a significant change from the previous system. Earlier, customers could open accounts and use them for up to 60 days before completing their verification. This grace period allowed people to start using services immediately, but it created security risks.
Now, customers must complete biometric verification immediately, or their accounts and wallets will be blocked.
Users who haven’t yet completed this process should visit their bank branch or authorized service center as soon as possible to avoid any disruption to their digital banking and mobile wallet services.
