Biometric Verification in Pakistan: What Every Mobile Wallet User Needs to Know
In 2025, a major change is coming that affects nearly every mobile money user in the country. Starting July 1, 2025, biometric verification in Pakistan will become mandatory for all cash-in and cash-out transactions done via JazzCash and Easypaisa.
If you’ve ever walked into a shop to send or receive money, this change affects you directly.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially announced that biometric verification in Pakistan will now be required to stop fraud, secure user identities, and regulate mobile wallet transactions more transparently.
Let’s explore why biometric verification in Pakistan has become necessary, what the history behind it is, and what you must do now to keep your account active.
Table of Contents
🧠 Why Biometric Verification in Pakistan is Becoming Mandatory
The purpose behind this new policy is simple: to stop scams and misuse of mobile wallets. In recent years, there have been increasing incidents of:
- Fake CNICs being used to open mobile wallet accounts
- Deceased persons’ accounts being misused
- Agents transferring money without proper customer consent
- People using wallets registered on someone else’s ID
To tackle these risks, biometric verification in Pakistan will now be required for every transaction at retail agents.
🧾 Historical Background: How We Got Here
Pakistan’s mobile money journey began around 2009 with Easypaisa. Back then, a simple CNIC number was enough to send or receive money. Over time, JazzCash and other services joined the market, and the use of mobile money exploded.
But so did the frauds.
Between 2015 and 2023, reports of unauthorized withdrawals, phishing scams, and stolen funds grew. Despite several attempts by SBP to regulate mobile banking—such as SIM verification and CNIC checks—fraudsters found loopholes.
That’s why, in 2025, the government decided that biometric verification in Pakistan was the only way forward.
🔒 How Biometric Verification in Pakistan Will Work
Here’s what will happen from July 1, 2025:
- You’ll visit a JazzCash or Easypaisa agent.
- Show your original CNIC.
- Place your thumb or finger on a biometric scanner.
- The system will check your identity against NADRA’s database.
- If matched, your transaction goes through.
No thumbprint? No transaction.
Whether you are sending, receiving, or withdrawing funds—biometric verification in Pakistan is now essential.
📣 Who Will Be Affected?
Everyone who uses cash-based JazzCash or Easypaisa transactions will be affected.
✅ You’re affected if:
- You send or receive money at a shop
- You withdraw money from your wallet at a retail agent
- You deposit money to someone else’s account
❌ You’re NOT affected if:
- You use mobile apps only (though soon, even apps may require biometric confirmation)
- Your wallet is already fully verified with NADRA and linked SIM
But even then, it’s best to visit your nearest shop and ensure your fingerprint is registered.
⚠️ Important Warning: Unverified or Fake Accounts
If your mobile wallet is:
- Registered under someone else’s name
- Opened using a deceased person’s ID
- Created using an unverified CNIC
… then you will no longer be able to withdraw or deposit money from July 1 onward. The account may be blocked or frozen.
That means thousands of people who relied on third-party or “open” wallets are at risk of losing access to their funds.
👥 A Cultural Note
Many households used to open wallets on a family elder’s name, or even a neighbor’s ID card, because of lack of awareness or documentation. This practice must stop immediately.
🧭 What You Should Do Now
✅ 1. Visit a Verified Agent
Go to an official JazzCash or Easypaisa outlet. Make sure the shop has a biometric machine.
✅ 2. Take Your CNIC
Your original CNIC is needed—not a photo or photocopy.
✅ 3. Get Your Biometric Done
Complete a fingerprint match through the machine. It takes just 2–3 minutes.
✅ 4. Don’t Delay
Do it before July 1, 2025, to avoid any problems in sending or receiving money.
📉 What Happens If You Don’t Comply?
- Your account may get blocked
- You won’t be able to withdraw money
- Any balance in the wallet may become frozen
- Recovery could take weeks or even months
🇵🇰 A Step Toward a Safer Financial Future
This new law is not just about adding another step in the process. It’s about building trust in mobile banking.
🌍 Worldwide Trends
Countries like India, Nigeria, and Kenya have already introduced biometric verification in digital finance. Pakistan is catching up, making sure that every citizen’s money is safe, traceable, and protected.
📢 Common Questions (FAQs)
❓ Can I verify from home?
No. You must physically visit a shop with your thumbprint.
❓ Will the app stop working if I don’t verify?
Not immediately, but you won’t be able to use cash-based services.
❓ What if my fingerprint doesn’t match?
You’ll need to update your record at NADRA first, then retry.
💬 Voices from the Public
“I’m glad they’re doing this. My uncle lost Rs. 30,000 from a fake message scam last year. This will stop that.”
— Ali Raza, Lahore
“Some elderly people may struggle with fingerprint machines. Agents must be trained to help them.”
— Nighat Bibi, Karachi
“Good move by SBP! Finally, people will stop misusing dead people’s accounts.”
— Twitter user @sadiqpure
✅ Conclusion: Biometric Verification in Pakistan is a Positive Step
It may feel like a hassle today, but biometric verification in Pakistan is a necessary change for a safer future.
It protects your money, stops fraud, and builds a better banking system. So take a few minutes, visit your nearest agent, and complete your biometric verification before July 1, 2025.
It’s your money. It should be in your hands—literally.
