Biometric Verification Mandate for JazzCash and Easypaisa

Biometric Verification Mandate for JazzCash and Easypaisa: Key Information

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced a critical regulation effective July 1, 2025, mandating biometric verification for all transactions involving sending or withdrawing money through mobile financial services like JazzCash and Easypaisa. This measure aims to enhance security, reduce fraud, and ensure compliance with national financial regulations. Below is a comprehensive guide to help users understand the implications, take necessary actions, and avoid potential issues with their accounts.

Why Biometric Verification Is Mandatory

The SBP’s directive is part of a broader effort to strengthen Pakistan’s financial ecosystem by ensuring that all transactions are traceable to verified individuals. Biometric verification, typically involving fingerprint scans, links accounts to the account holder’s NADRA-issued Computerized National Identity Card (CNIC). This helps curb unauthorized transactions, money laundering, and the misuse of accounts.

Key Objectives of the Mandate

• Enhanced Security: Biometric verification ensures that only the account holder can access funds, protecting against unauthorized use.
• Fraud Prevention: By requiring fingerprint authentication, the risk of fraudulent transactions using stolen or misused identities is minimized.
• Regulatory Compliance: Aligns with SBP’s goal to regulate digital financial services and maintain transparency in branchless banking.

Implications for JazzCash and Easypaisa Users

The mandate applies to all users of JazzCash and Easypaisa, whether they hold Level 0 (L0), Level 1 (L1), or higher-tier accounts. Failure to comply with biometric verification requirements could result in restricted access to funds or account suspension. Here’s what users need to know:

Accounts in Someone Else’s Name

• Immediate Action Required: If your JazzCash or Easypaisa account is registered under another person’s name, you must transfer the funds to an account in your own name before July 1, 2025.
• Risk of Non-Compliance: After the deadline, transactions will require biometric verification, which can only be performed by the registered account holder. If the account is not in your name, you will be unable to withdraw or send money.
• Steps to Take:
• Open a new JazzCash or Easypaisa account in your name via the mobile app or by visiting a retailer.
• Transfer existing funds to your new account.
• Complete biometric verification at a JazzCash agent or Easypaisa retailer.

Accounts in the Name of a Deceased Person

• Critical Deadline: After July 1, 2025, accounts registered under a deceased person’s name will require biometric verification (e.g., thumbprint) for withdrawals, which is impossible to provide.
• Consequences: Funds in such accounts may become inaccessible, potentially remaining locked indefinitely.
• Legal Process for Recovery:
• Obtain a succession certificate from a court to claim funds as a legal heir.
• Submit the certificate, along with the deceased’s CNIC and other required documents, to JazzCash or Easypaisa.
• Note: This process can be time-consuming and may involve legal costs, so act promptly to avoid complications.

Responsibility of Account Holders

• Personal Accountability: Users are solely responsible for ensuring their accounts are registered in their own names. Neither JazzCash, Easypaisa, nor the SBP will be liable for funds stuck due to non-compliance.
• Proactive Measures: Verify your account details and complete biometric registration to avoid disruptions.

How to Comply with the Biometric Verification Mandate

To ensure uninterrupted access to your JazzCash or Easypaisa account, follow these steps:

1. Check Account Status:

• Log in to your JazzCash or Easypaisa mobile app to confirm the registered CNIC and account holder’s name.
• If the account is not in your name, proceed to open a new account.

1. Complete Biometric Verification:

• JazzCash: Visit a JazzCash agent, Jazz Experience Center, or use the in-app biometric verification feature.
• Easypaisa: Visit an Easypaisa retailer or Telenor franchise for biometric verification.
• Required documents: Original CNIC and, in some cases, proof of income for account upgrades.

1. Transfer Funds:

• Move funds from accounts registered in another person’s name to your verified account before the deadline.
• Use the respective apps or visit an agent for secure transfers.

1. Update CNIC if Expired:

• Visit a NADRA center to renew expired CNICs, as biometric verification requires a valid CNIC.

Biometric Verification Process

The following table outlines the biometric verification process for JazzCash and Easypaisa:

Platform	Verification Method	Locations	Requirements
JazzCash	In-app or at agent	JazzCash agents, Jazz Experience Centers, or Mobilink Microfinance Bank branches	Valid CNIC, mobile number, fingerprint scan
Easypaisa	At retailer or franchise	Easypaisa retailers, Telenor franchises	Valid CNIC, fingerprint scan

Special Considerations

Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs)

• Exemption for NRPs: Overseas Pakistanis are exempt from biometric verification and can use NADRA’s Verisys system instead. Submit a signed undertaking, valid passport, visa, or NICOP to your bank or financial service provider.
• Contact Information: For issues, contact JazzCash at 4444 (Jazz/Warid) or 021-111-124-444 (other networks), or Easypaisa at 3737.

Joint Account Holders

• Resident Holder: The Pakistan-resident joint account holder must complete biometric verification.
• NRP or Temporary Absence: The non-resident or temporarily absent holder can submit an attested undertaking with proof of absence (e.g., passport, visa) to the bank.

Minors and Guardians

• JazzCash NextGen Accounts: Minors (12–17 years) with accounts linked to a guardian’s CNIC must convert to a standard account upon reaching the age of majority, requiring biometric verification and a valid CNIC.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What happens if I don’t complete biometric verification by July 1, 2025?

You will be unable to send or withdraw money from your JazzCash or Easypaisa account. Funds may remain inaccessible until verification is completed.

2. Can I use someone else’s account after July 1, 2025?

No, transactions will require the registered account holder’s biometric verification. Using another person’s account will result in restricted access.

3. How can I claim funds from a deceased person’s account?

You must obtain a succession certificate from a court and submit it with the deceased’s CNIC to JazzCash or Easypaisa. Without biometric verification, funds cannot be withdrawn after July 1, 2025.

4. What if my CNIC is expired?

Visit a NADRA center to renew your CNIC before attempting biometric verification, as an expired CNIC will not be accepted.

5. Are there any fees for biometric verification?

No, biometric verification is free for JazzCash and Easypaisa account holders. However, standard transaction fees may apply for cash-ins or withdrawals.

6. Can I verify my account from abroad?

NRPs can use NADRA’s Verisys system instead of biometric verification. Contact your service provider for specific instructions.

Conclusion

The State Bank of Pakistan’s biometric verification mandate, effective July 1, 2025, is a significant step toward securing digital financial transactions. Users of JazzCash and Easypaisa must act promptly to ensure their accounts are registered in their own names and biometrically verified to avoid losing access to their funds. For accounts linked to deceased individuals, immediate action is crucial to transfer funds or initiate legal processes for recovery. By following the outlined steps and completing verification before the deadline, you can continue to enjoy seamless access to Pakistan’s leading mobile financial services. Stay proactive, verify your account, and secure your financial future today.

General Information:

As per the instructions of the State Bank of Pakistan, biometric verification will be mandatory for withdrawing or sending money through Jazz Cash and Easy Paisa from July 1.

Those who are using Jazz Cash or Easy Paisa accounts in someone else’s name should immediately empty these accounts.

If someone is using an account in the name of a deceased person, then after July 1, they will not be able to withdraw money without a thumbprint, and that money will remain in the account forever.

Those people will be responsible for this.

So immediately get your account in your name.

عام اطلاع:

اسٹیٹ بینک آف پاکستان کی ہدایت کے مطابق یکم جولائی سے جاز کیش اور ایزی پیسہ کے ذریعے رقم نکالنے یا بھیجنے کے لیے بایومیٹرک تصدیق لازمی ہوگی۔

جو لوگ جاز کیش یا ایزی پیسہ کا اکاؤنٹ کسی اور کے نام پر استعمال کر رہے ہیں، وہ فوراً ان اکاؤنٹس کو خالی کر دیں۔

اگر کوئی کسی فوت شدہ شخص کے نام پر اکاؤنٹ استعمال کر رہا ہے، تو یکم جولائی کے بعد انگوٹھے کے بغیر وہ رقم نہیں نکال سکے گا، اور وہ رقم ہمیشہ کے لیے اکاؤنٹ میں ہی رہ جائے گی۔

اس کے ذمہ دار وہ افراد خود ہوں گے۔
لہٰذا فوراً اپنا اکاؤنٹ اپنے نام پر کروائیں۔