Easypaisa, a leading provider of digital financial services in Pakistan, has partnered with Punjab Zakat and Ushr Department to digitally disburse funds to those who are being affected by the lockdown amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
The collaboration is aimed at disbursing zakat funds worth Rs 1.5 billion to more than 170,000 beneficiaries, said Mudassar Aqil, President and CEO of Easypaisa/Telenor Microfinance Bank, here on Tuesday.
Speaking on the development, he said that they are honored to be the first bank, designed to operate as a fintech, by bringing cutting edge technology solutions to the financial sector through our large digital platform Easypaisa. "We will keep providing the government our support in these difficult times. Easypaisa is well-suited for such government-to-people transactions and we are already working with other departments and provincial governments to facilitate more of such transfers," he added.
According to him, Easypaisa has become the first branchless banking service to provide its platform for relief efforts in this time of need. Disbursement of the funds has been spread over 10 days to ensure social distancing. Beneficiaries across 36 districts of Punjab will be able to receive funds from over 70,000 Easypaisa retailers.
Punjab Zakat and Ushr Minister Shaukat Ali Laleka said that the Punjab government is putting its best foot forward and going above and beyond to support the people. "Alongside the Prime Minister's Ehsaas program and a host of other initiatives, this early distribution of Zakat funds is meant to facilitate people in providing every means for them to continue their daily lives with ease," he added.
"We are happy to be partnering with Easypaisa, one of the most reliable money transfer and digital banking service in the country."