1LINK has marked a significant milestone in Pakistan’s digital payments ecosystem by securing Mastercard certification for its advanced Card Personalization Bureau. This development strengthens the country’s card payments infrastructure while enhancing security, scale, and operational reliability. Moreover, the certification reflects growing confidence in locally built, globally compliant payment solutions.
Mastercard Certification Strengthens Local Capabilities
The newly certified Card Personalization Bureau is purpose-built and fully PCI compliant. It delivers secure, end-to-end card personalization and fulfillment services. Importantly, the facility relies on highly automated processes. As a result, it achieves near-zero human intervention while maintaining strict international security and quality benchmarks.
From secure data personalization to final packaging, the bureau supports the entire card lifecycle. Consequently, issuing banks can ensure faster delivery and consistent quality across large issuance volumes. This approach also reduces operational risk and enhances overall efficiency.
Expanding Support for Multiple Card Schemes
As a trusted service provider, 1LINK already supports more than ten leading banks, including major card issuers. With Mastercard certification now in place, its bureau supports a wider range of cards. These include PayPak, Mastercard, PayPak Mastercard co-badged cards, UPI cards, and PayPak UPI co-badged cards.
Therefore, banks can reach broader customer segments without building costly in-house facilities. At the same time, they benefit from international scheme compliance and improved scalability. This flexibility allows issuers to respond quickly to market demand while maintaining operational resilience.
Business Continuity and Operational Resilience
Beyond issuance, the personalization bureau also serves as a strategic business continuity partner. Banks with in-house personalization units can rely on 1LINK for fallback support during disruptions. Thus, card issuance remains uninterrupted even under unexpected circumstances.
This capability strengthens confidence across the banking sector. It also highlights the maturity of Pakistan’s domestic payments infrastructure. Furthermore, it positions 1LINK as a central enabler of interoperable and future-ready digital payment systems.
Supporting All Mastercard Card Variants
With enhanced capabilities, 1LINK can now personalize all Mastercard debit and credit card variants. These include Standard, Gold, Titanium, Platinum, World, and World Elite cards. Consequently, issuers gain greater choice and flexibility while optimizing operations.
Commenting on the achievement, 1LINK’s leadership emphasized that Mastercard-certified personalization allows banks to focus on core services. At the same time, customers receive cards faster and more reliably across the country. Additionally, the solution supports PayPak issuance and co-badged cards, routed locally and internationally with efficiency.
Overall, this milestone signals steady progress toward a secure, scalable, and globally aligned digital payments future for Pakistan.
