Millions of Pakistanis working abroad have long faced challenges in the remittance process. High transaction fees and reliance on informal channels significantly reduce the amount that reaches families back home. In response to this issue, the Government of Pakistan has taken a decisive step towards a cashless economy by formally initiating a strategic partnership aimed at digitising the flow of remittances.
A strategic partnership for zero-cost digital remittances
The Prime Minister’s Youth Programme (PMYP) signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) with Dellsons Associates Private Limited, Karachi, to initiate the creation of a proprietary Digital Wallet specifically designed for overseas Pakistanis.
The ceremony, held on 18 January 2026, represented a commitment to enhance the financial ecosystem for Pakistan’s workforce abroad. The signing was witnessed by Chairman PMYP Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan, along with representatives from the Ministry of Finance, ONE LINK, and United Bank Limited (UBL). The ceremony was attended by Dr Muhammad Ali Malik, joint secretary PMYP, and Mr Ibrahim Amin, founder and chairman of Dellsons Associates Private Limited, along with their respective teams.
A regulated digital wallet solution will be linked with PMYP’s Digital Youth Hub, enabling overseas Pakistanis in the UAE to send remittances instantly through formal channels at no cost.
Through this collaboration, a regulated digital wallet solution will be linked with the Digital Youth Hub, which is PMYP’s flagship platform, enabling overseas Pakistanis in the UAE to send remittances instantly through formal channels at no cost.
Chairman Rana Mashhood Ahmad Khan said that this initiative reflects the Prime Minister’s vision for a cashless economy and aligns with the PMYP’s four Es framework: Education, Employment, Engagement, and Environment. By leveraging financial technology and digital infrastructure, this collaboration promotes financial inclusion and secure remittance channels for Pakistani youth working in the UAE.
Empowering the blue-collar workforce
This initiative addresses long-standing issues faced by Pakistani blue-collar workers in the UAE, such as high transfer costs and a lack of formal banking access. Through zero-cost and instant transfers, the government aims to incentivise the adoption of formal, documented channels. This shift will offer direct financial relief to workers and provide a substantial boost to the national foreign exchange reserves.
Dellsons Associates
Under the proposed framework, Dellsons Associates Private Limited will support the design and implementation of the digital remittance solution, including the development of a user-friendly digital wallet integrated with the Digital Youth Hub. Working with implementing partners, the company will help establish the necessary technological infrastructure, operational systems, and customer onboarding processes. Secure cross-border remittance processing will be carried out through financial partners such as ONE LINK and United Bank Limited (UBL). Dellsons Associates will also set up service offices and customer support centres in the UAE to provide on-ground assistance to workers using the platform.
Compliance and security
Built in line with stringent global financial regulations, the initiative places compliance at the centre of its framework, ensuring full adherence to the regulatory requirements of both the Central Bank of the UAE and the State Bank of Pakistan. It incorporates strict Anti-Money Laundering and Countering the Financing of Terrorism protocols, robust Know Your Customer verification, advanced cybersecurity safeguards, and consumer protection measures to ensure secure, transparent, and trustworthy remittance transactions for overseas workers.
A catalyst for economic stability
This collaboration serves as a potential macroeconomic stabiliser by lowering barriers to formal remittance channels through zero-cost transfers. As the project moves from the Letter of Intent to implementation, it is expected to enhance digital literacy among youth and strengthen Pakistan’s economic resilience. The initiative also repositions the Digital Youth Hub as an active platform for financial inclusion, illustrating how public–private collaboration can narrow the financial and practical distance between Pakistan and its overseas workforce.
The writer is a digital media executive at the Prime Minister’s Youth Programme.
