Mobile Wallets, Digital Bank Accounts Without Biometric Verification to Be Blocked From Tomorrow

KARACHI – Starting October 25, 2025, millions of Pakistanis may find their mobile wallets and digital bank accounts suspended, as the State Bank of Pakistan’s (SBP) new biometric verification rules officially take effect.

The regulation, first announced in July 2025 under BPRD Circular No.1, makes biometric verification mandatory for all types of financial accounts including those held with commercial banks, digital banks, microfinance institutions, and electronic money operators.

According to the SBP, the move is part of broader efforts to tighten anti-money laundering (AML) and counter-terrorism financing (CTF) measures, while also simplifying the account opening and verification process across the banking sector.

Previously, customers were allowed a 60-day grace period to complete biometric verification before facing debit restrictions. However, under the new framework, any account holder who fails to verify their biometrics by October 25 will face immediate service disruption including the inability to send, receive, or withdraw funds.

Banking experts caution that the change could temporarily impact millions of users, including those holding foreign currency and Roshan Digital Accounts (RDAs). Institutions have reportedly been sending final reminders via SMS and mobile app notifications, urging customers to complete the process before the deadline.

The new “Consolidated Customer Onboarding Framework” introduced by the SBP applies to both in-branch and remote account openings, ensuring a unified verification approach across all institutions. The updated rules aim to create a centralized digital identity standard for both local and overseas Pakistanis a move the central bank believes will help enhance transparency and trust in the financial system.

Industry insiders say the regulation is a critical step toward modernizing Pakistan’s digital banking infrastructure, though it could temporarily inconvenience users who rely solely on mobile wallets for daily transactions.

As the clock ticks down to the deadline, financial institutions are bracing for a potential surge in last-minute biometric verifications and customers are being strongly advised to complete the process as soon as possible to avoid disruptions.