Pakistan Single Window to launch Unified Payment System for traders. Pakistan Single Window (PSW) is planning to introduce a Unified Payment System (UPS) that will allow importers and exporters to pay customs duties, taxes and other trade-related charges through a pre-funded digital wallet. The proposed system is aimed at simplifying payment processes associated with cross-border trade by providing businesses with a centralized digital payment option within the PSW ecosystem. The initiative is expected to improve convenience, transaction visibility and payment management for businesses involved in international trade. Under the proposed arrangement, the digital wallet will be operated by a licensed bank or fintech company within a structure permitted by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Rather than developing an entirely new payment infrastructure, the system will rely on existing banking and payment technology. This approach is intended to support implementation while allowing regulated financial service providers to manage customer funds and payment operations. The wallet will allow traders to maintain reusable balances and add funds through multiple channels, including inter-bank fund transfers, Raast, banking applications, online portals and over-the-counter deposits. Users will also be able to withdraw funds remotely, providing greater flexibility in managing their payment balances. The system is designed to enable businesses to deposit funds in advance and use them for different trade-related charges as required, reducing the need to initiate separate payment arrangements for every transaction. Payments will be settled against payment advice generated within the PSW ecosystem. The system is expected to cover services connected with Pakistan Single Window, the Maritime Single Window, Port Community System, Air Community System, Customs Clearance System and other PSW-linked platforms. By connecting these services through a unified payment mechanism, the initiative aims to streamline financial transactions associated with customs processing and trade documentation. The licensed service provider will be responsible for managing the wallet's financial operations, including fund custody, balance management, deposits, withdrawals, refunds, reversals and settlement. The provider will also conduct customer due diligence and anti-money laundering checks in accordance with applicable regulatory requirements. These responsibilities will remain with the regulated financial institution or fintech company operating the wallet. PSW itself will not hold, intermediate or settle customer funds under the proposed structure. Instead, the digital wallet will connect with the PSW platform exclusively through the Unified Payment System. The framework is also designed to accommodate additional payment providers in the future, allowing PSW to expand its network without requiring major changes to the underlying system. This could create opportunities for greater participation by regulated banks and fintech companies in trade-related digital payments. Currently, payments within the PSW ecosystem are processed through Pre-Deposit accounts and bank or payment gateway-based mechanisms. The proposed wallet will be introduced as an additional payment option rather than a replacement for existing arrangements. Businesses using Pre-Deposit accounts will not be required to migrate their balances to the new system, allowing existing payment processes to continue alongside the wallet. For importers and exporters, the proposed system is expected to offer greater convenience and improved visibility over trade-related payments. Businesses will be able to maintain funds in advance, use a single balance to pay multiple charges and monitor individual transactions, settlements and reconciliation records. These capabilities could help reduce administrative work and make it easier for companies to manage payments associated with customs clearance and other trade services. The Unified Payment System forms part of broader efforts to digitalize Pakistan's trade processes and improve the financial infrastructure supporting cross-border commerce. By integrating reusable digital balances with existing banking and payment channels, PSW aims to provide traders with a more accessible and transparent way to manage government duties, taxes and service charges. The initiative is expected to support more efficient trade operations while expanding the role of regulated digital payment providers in Pakistan's trade ecosystem.

PSW, PHDEC join hands to advance digital trade readiness of horticulture sector. October 21, 2026 ISLAMABAD, Oct 21 (APP): Pakistan Single Window (PSW) on Wednesday signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Pakistan Horticulture Development and Export Company (PHDEC) to strengthen the horticulture sector's ability to participate in Pakistan's evolving digital trade ecosystem. The partnership aims to translate digital trade facilitation into practical capabilities for exporters and processors, helping businesses navigate regulatory requirements, manage export procedures more efficiently, and strengthen their readiness for international markets, said a news release. The collaboration reflects PSW's role in advancing trade digitalization through both integrated infrastructure and the capabilities businesses need to use it effectively. By combining PSW's digital trade facilitation infrastructure with PHDEC's sector expertise and mandate to promote horticulture exports, the partnership establishes a framework for addressing the practical challenges horticulture businesses face in adopting digital trade processes. PHDEC, a government-owned entity under the Ministry of Commerce, will work with PSW to deliver targeted capacity-building and awareness initiatives for horticulture exporters and processors. Training sessions, webinars, and workshops will cover PSW registration, system usage, documentation, and regulatory requirements, connecting these processes to businesses' day-to-day export operations. A central priority is to enable exporters to manage their PSW registrations and related trade processes independently and confidently. Greater familiarity with digital procedures will help businesses exercise stronger oversight of their submissions and maintain control over sensitive commercial information. Awareness of data protection and privacy will form an integral part of these efforts, reinforcing secure participation in digital trade. Speaking on the partnership, Syed Aftab Haider, CEO of PSW, said "Digital infrastructure is a foundation for trade reform, but its impact depends on how effectively businesses can use it. Our partnership with PHDEC connects PSW's trade facilitation capabilities with the specific needs of Pakistan's horticulture sector. By strengthening exporters' ability to navigate digital procedures, meet regulatory requirements, and manage their information securely, we aim to make digitization a practical enabler of export readiness and competitiveness." Muhammad Naseer, CEO of PHDEC, said "Preparing horticulture businesses for international markets requires a strong understanding of the processes that underpin export activity. Through this partnership, PHDEC and PSW will bring sector expertise and digital trade knowledge together to help exporters and processors address operational challenges and navigate export procedures with greater confidence." Beyond capacity building, the collaboration will provide a structured channel for identifying sector-specific barriers to digital adoption and developing coordinated responses. The institutions will also provide guidance on PSW-related operational issues and explore information sharing in accordance with PSW's Trade Data Sharing & Exchange Policy. Joint working groups, with equal representation from both institutions, will coordinate implementation, monitor progress, and periodically assess outcomes to keep the collaboration responsive to the sector's needs. The partnership brings digital trade facilitation closer to the businesses it is designed to serve. By linking national trade infrastructure with targeted sector support, PSW and PHDEC aim to build a more digitally capable horticulture export sector, better equipped to manage regulatory processes and pursue opportunities in international markets. Discover more Explore History