Tech community urges development of alternative payment channels

As global financial platforms increasingly restrict access to Pakistani users due to geopolitical tensions, local tech experts are calling for the urgent development of alternative payment systems. Freelancers, digital creators, and startups have expressed frustration over the loss of business opportunities, especially due to disruptions in PayPal, Stripe, and similar services. Experts emphasised that reliance on foreign financial platforms puts Pakistan’s digital economy at risk and advocated for homegrown solutions backed by robust fintech infrastructure. The call comes amid tightening cross-border scrutiny following cyberattacks and media crackdowns.