SBP launches Go Cashless campaign in 96 cattle markets for Eid-ul-Azha

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has launched a nationwide Go Cashless campaign for Eid al-Azha 2026, expanding coverage to 96 cattle markets across the country.

The initiative aims to promote secure, cashless transactions in livestock trade. It is part of SBP's broader strategy to accelerate digitization of Pakistan's payments ecosystem.

What is the SBP Go Cashless campaign for Eid al-Azha 2026?

As part of the Go Cashless campaign, 22 banks will set up camps and kiosks across 96 markets in 2026. This marks an expansion from the 54 markets included in 2025.

Cattle markets around Eid al-Azha generate significant commercial activity, much of it still cash-based. The SBP has used this seasonal trade in recent years to expand digital financial inclusion.

Twenty-two participating banks will set up dedicated camps and kiosks in their assigned markets. The kiosks will facilitate digital payments for both buyers and sellers during the Eid period.

Participating banks will onboard cattle sellers, known as Beoparis, along with transporters and allied service providers. Onboarding will involve account opening and deployment of QR code-based payment solutions.

The goal is to bring informal players in the livestock supply chain into the digital payment system. This complements SBP's wider push for retail digitization.

Has SBP raised transaction limits for Eid al-Azha?

The SBP has introduced temporary relaxations on transactional and account balance limits to handle higher Eid-period volumes.

The relaxations are effective from May 14 to June 5, 2026.

SBP has encouraged the public to use a range of digital channels for Eid transactions. These include mobile banking apps, branchless banking wallets, Raast-enabled services, and QR code payments.

Mobile banking vans, ATMs, and Cash Deposit Machines will also be deployed where feasible to improve access to financial services in and around cattle markets.