{
  "id": 20110423,
  "title": "Stores Can Refuse Contactless Payments in Pakistan",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/15/stores-can-refuse-contactless-payments-in-pakistan",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-11-15T03:13:46.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "ProPakistani",
    "slug": "propakistani",
    "url": "https://propakistani.pk/2026/11/15/stores-can-refuse-contactless-payments-in-pakistan/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "In Pakistan, state-run banks like the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cannot compel shops and large retailers such as Metro to accept contactless payments made via smartphones, smartwatches, or other wearable devices. The central bank does not have regulatory authority over individual merchants, meaning they are not obligated to accept any particular payment method. Several businesses have voluntarily stopped accepting or limited NFC payments through digital devices, leaving a gray area regarding whether retailers can deny phone-based contactless payments while still accepting contactless debit and credit cards.\n\nThe SBP has clarified that when a PIN-less contactless payment is disputed as fraudulent, liability for the dispute is assigned based on the actions, omissions, or negligence of the involved parties, including customers, merchants, and acquiring banks. These parties have established liability and dispute-resolution frameworks, such as those for Visa, Mastercard, and PayPak, which determine responsibility on a case-by-case basis, rather than automatically assigning blame to the customer or merchant.\n\nFurthermore, the SBP has confirmed that the maximum amount for PIN-free contactless payments without entering a PIN in Pakistan is Rs. 3,000, not the previously reported Rs. 3,500. This information is crucial for smartphone, smartwatch, and contactless card users who rely on tap-to-pay services. As the country progresses toward advanced payment options and artificial intelligence, merchants in Pakistan retain significant influence over the availability of individual payment methods, even when the necessary payment infrastructure is in place.",
  "summary": "The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) cannot force shops and superstores like Metro to accept contactless payments made through smartphones, … Read More The post Stores Can Refuse Contactless Payments in Pakistan appeared first on ProPakistani .",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}