Islamabad – Pakistan Telecommunication Company Limited (PTCL), the country’s leading ICT services provider, has joined hands with PayFast, a State Bank of Pakistan-licensed Payment Service Provider (PSP), to introduce an innovative bill payment solution via WhatsApp. This ground-breaking service allows PTCL customers to view and pay their bills directly through WhatsApp, marking a major milestone in digital customer service for Pakistan’s telecom sector.
The official signing ceremony for the partnership took place at PTCL Headquarters in Islamabad, with senior executives from PTCL, eOcean, and PayFast in attendance. The collaboration enables customers to choose from multiple payment methods, including major banks and popular mobile wallets. The service is seamlessly integrated and powered by eOcean, a leading cloud communication service provider.
How It Works
To make a payment, customers simply need to enter their CNIC and account number, verify the transaction via an OTP sent to their registered mobile number, and receive an instant receipt within the WhatsApp chat. Beyond bill payments, PTCL’s WhatsApp bot offers a range of features to enhance customer convenience, including:
- Real-time troubleshooting for service issues.
- Bill inquiries and tax certificate retrieval.
- Subscription to additional services, such as Flash Fiber bolt-ons.
Leadership Insights
Syed Atif Raza, Group Chief Commercial Officer of PTCL & Ufone 4G, highlighted the company’s commitment to digital transformation, stating: “The WhatsApp-based bill payment solution aligns with our digital transformation strategy, aimed at enhancing customer convenience and delivering top-notch services. PTCL is proud to pioneer this solution in Pakistan through a partnership with PayFast, setting a new benchmark in the industry for customer experience. We are committed to streamlining interactions for our valued customers and making digital transactions as simple as possible.”
Mahwish Saad Khan, Chief Business Officer of PayFast, emphasized the significance of the partnership, saying: “Our collaboration with PTCL is a pivotal milestone in redefining digital payment experiences in Pakistan. By integrating PayFast’s reliable and user-friendly payment solutions with PTCL’s WhatsApp bot, we are making transactions easier and more secure than ever. Together, we are fostering a culture of digital innovation to empower customers nationwide with accessible payment options.”
Adding to the discussion, Altaf Siddiqui, Director of Products at eOcean, noted: “WhatsApp chatbots offer transformative potential for telecommunication providers by enabling instant top-ups and personalized customer support at scale. With WhatsApp’s unmatched reach and adaptability, it seamlessly aligns with user preferences, making it an ideal platform for PTCL to enhance customer interactions and ensure swift service delivery.”
Driving Digital Innovation
The launch of WhatsApp bill payments is a testament to the shared vision of PTCL, eOcean, and PayFast to transform customer interactions and drive digital innovation in the telecom sector. This initiative underscores their joint commitment to building a digitally empowered Pakistan, setting a new standard for customer-centric services in the industry.