Cashless payment platforms: Telenor CEO says Pakistan represents ideal environment

ISLAMABAD: With a high unbanked population, high cash-to-GDP ratio, and strong mobile penetration, Pakistan represents an ideal environment for cashless payment platforms to thrive, said Telenor Pakistan Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Irfan Wahab Khan.

Addressing at the Ministerial Programme 2021 the CEO said that EasyPaisa is making the ideal environment for cashless payment platforms to thrive a reality at the forefront. Earlier, the company announced that Telenor Pakistan won five awards at the Cannes Lions Festival of Creativity 2021.

The annual five-day event is recognised as the global benchmark for brands, organisations, and marketing agencies, when it comes to innovative and impactful communication. And this year for the first time Pakistan has won, not one but five awards for Telenor Pakistan's Digital Birth Registration - "Naming the Invisible", in the following categories:

1. Grand Prix (Mobile)

2. Grand Prix (Media)

3. Gold Lion (sustainable development)

4. Silver Lion (Mobile)

5. Silver Lion (Direct)

The global recognition for Telenor's Digital Birth Initiative has highlighted Pakistan's efforts in tackling monumental social and administrative challenges.

This prestigious recognition places the country's talent and penchant for innovation on the global map.

By winning two Grand Prix, one Gold and two Silver awards against the best in the world, Telenor Pakistan alongside their communication partner Ogilvy Pakistan has proven the abilities of Pakistani brands and talent at the global stage.

With this win, Telenor has paved the way for other brands and organisations to take on challenges that are holding Pakistan back and manifest a more inclusive and sustainable future for the country. Chief Executive Officer Telenor Pakistan Irfan Wahab Khan commented: "Empow-ering societies through the power of technology and innovation is at the heart of Telenor Pakistan's DNA and the Digital Birth Registration initiative is a testament of our commitment to this. In collaboration with UNICEF and the government of Pakistan we came up with an innovative digital solution to an age-old social & administrative problem; lack of birth registration and documentation. This is a testament to how brands with purpose can create a meaningful impact in the society by empowering people with their identity, while leveraging technology & partnerships for sustainable development. And Telenor Pakistan is doing so by creating digital identities for more than 1.3 million children of Pakistan, and counting!"

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021