Pakistan Credit Cards

Pakistan Credit Cards evolved with the introduction of credit cards by Habib Bank, the biggest bank in the country, when it launched the gold card a couple of decades ago. Credit cards gained popularity in Pakistan, however, only in the 1990s when Citibank launched its Citibank Pakistan Visa Card. The aggressive marketing and huge investment not only made Citibank the industry leader in Pakistan but proved to be a turning point in the history of credit cards in the nation.

After the successful launch of the Citibank credit card, Muslim Commercial Bank, the National Bank of Pakistan and Bank of America soon followed suit with their own credit cards.

Credit Cards Pakistan: Types

The various credit cards used in Pakistan currently are as follows:

Balance Transfer Card: This type of card can be used to transfer a high interest balance onto a low APR credit card.

Instant Approval Card: This type of card offers instant approval on

select credit cards from specific banks.

Business Credit Card: This card offers an expense management service that facilitates keeping track of outgoing business money. Additional credit cards for employees may be availed for their business travel expenses.

Student Credit Card: These are credit cards for high school and college students with lower credit limits and fewer incentives to help keep their spending in check.

Prepaid Credit Card: This type of card aims at controlling spending.

Reward Credit Cards: These are credit cards that "reward" purchases in the form of Cash Back or Points when the card holder spends on gas, airlines, hotel stay, travel or finance.

Pakistan Credit Cards: Major Issuers and Banks

The largest issuers of credit cards in Pakistan include:

Allied Bank

• Allied Bank Essentials MasterCard
• Allied Bank Premium MasterCard

American Express

Bank of America

Citibank

• Citibank Silver Credit Card
• Citibank Gold Credit Card
• Citibank Caltex Credit Card-Silver
• Citibank Caltex Credit Card-Gold
• Citibank Clear Credit Card
• Citi Mobilink Credit Card

Habib Bank Ltd

• Habib Bank Gold Card
• Habib Bank Green Card

Muslim Commercial Bank

National Bank

United Bank Limited

• UBL Chip Credit Card
• UBL Auto Credit Card

HSBC Bank

Standard Chartered Bank

• American Express Credit Card
• Easy credit Card
• Master Card
• VISA Card
• PIA Co-Brand Credit Card
• Cricket Credit Card

Pakistani law currently does not allow e-commerce retailers to accept payment by credit cards online. This is why no Pakistan-based site can transact business via credit card on the internet. However, credit cards issued in Pakistan are accepted elsewhere on the internet.

The government is actively working on removing credit card payment obstacles, in order to facilitate expansion of the internet in Pakistan.