Debit Card Annual Fees in Pakistan: Banks Compared for 2026

A basic debit card costs Rs 2,000 to Rs 3,800 a year at the Pakistani banks we checked, before tax. PayPak is the cheapest at HBL and UBL, at Rs 2,000. A Visa or Mastercard Classic runs from Rs 2,900 at UBL to Rs 3,800 at Bank Alfalah. These are the banks' own figures for July to December 2026.

We read the Schedule of Bank Charges for 1 July to 31 December 2026 from HBL, UBL, Bank Alfalah, Bank AL Habib, Meezan Bank and MCB, on 7 October 2026. Allied Bank publishes a schedule too, but its card table would not read cleanly, so we leave its numbers out.

Many people pay this fee without noticing it. It comes off the account once a year, often with a short SMS. Read the table, then check the waiver section. You may not need to pay at all.

Annual fee for a basic debit card by bank

Compare the lowest Visa or Mastercard card and the PayPak card. PayPak is a local card and works only inside Pakistan. The Visa and Mastercard cards also work online and abroad.

Fees at the top of each range are far higher. Platinum cards run Rs 10,000 to Rs 11,000 at Bank AL Habib, Meezan Bank and Bank Alfalah, and signature cards reach Rs 23,000 at Bank Alfalah and Bank AL Habib. HBL's full list is in our guide to HBL debit card types and fees.

Tax is added on top at most banks

HBL and Bank Alfalah print their schedules as exclusive of FED and sales tax, so the amount taken from your account is higher than the figure above. UBL says all applicable government levies are recovered in addition to its charges. Meezan Bank's PayPak card page says "plus tax".

The rate of tax is not printed in these schedules, so we do not give a number. Look at the SMS or the account statement line after the fee is taken. That is the amount you actually paid.

How to waive the annual fee

Most banks waive the fee for certain accounts, usually when you keep a minimum average balance. The size of the balance is the catch. It is Rs 25,000 at some banks and Rs 50,000 at others, and the schedule often says "average", not "minimum on the day".

• HBL: Freedom accounts with an average monthly balance of Rs 40,000 or more get a free Classic card.
• Bank AL Habib: PayPak fees are waived on Current, Current Plus and Apna Individual accounts if you keep an average of Rs 25,000 (Rs 5,000 for Remit accounts).
• Bank Alfalah: on some account types the annual fee is waived if the average balance over the last six months is Rs 50,000 or more.
• MCB: the Fun Club current account waives the fee at an average of Rs 50,000. MCB also lists free issuance of PayPak Classic and Gold, and Visa Silver and Gold, on its MCB One account.
• Meezan Bank: one card is free at issue on the Rupee Current, Asaan Current and Digital accounts. The annual fee still applies from the second year.
• UBL: first debit card issue is free on several accounts, and Mukammal account holders get a free Classic or Premium card with a Rs 25,000 year-to-date average.

A waiver at issue is not a waiver for life. Meezan Bank says clearly that annual and replacement charges follow the schedule after the first card. Check the account's own terms before you assume the card is free every year.

Replacement cards cost nearly as much as annual cards

A lost or damaged card is a second bill. UBL charges Rs 1,800 for a replacement on any card. HBL charges Rs 600 for PayPak and Rs 850 for a Classic. Meezan Bank charges the same as the annual fee. At Bank Alfalah, Visa Classic replacement is Rs 2,000.

So if the card is not stolen, do not ask for a new one just because the chip is scratched. Try the card at another ATM first. If it is lost, block the ATM card at once, then apply for the replacement.

Steps to cut what you pay for your card

1. Find your card type in the bank app or on the card face: PayPak, Classic, Gold or Platinum.
2. Look up that card in the bank's current schedule. Use the version for July to December 2026.
3. Check whether your account type has a waiver and what average balance it needs.
4. If you do not shop online or travel, ask for a PayPak card, which is cheaper at most banks.
5. Check the account statement a month after renewal to see what was actually taken.

If you keep a card you do not use, you pay for nothing. Our list of bank charges to avoid in Pakistan shows what else quietly leaves your account.

Common questions

Which bank has the cheapest debit card in Pakistan?

Among the banks we checked, HBL and UBL charge the lowest PayPak fee, Rs 2,000 a year before tax. A waiver can make your own card free, so check your account type.

Is the debit card annual fee charged automatically?

Yes. It is taken from your account when the card is renewed. Banks usually send an SMS, but the schedule is what allows the charge.

Is there tax on the debit card fee?

Yes. HBL and Bank Alfalah print their fees as exclusive of FED and sales tax, and UBL says government levies are recovered in addition.

How do I stop paying the debit card fee?

Keep the average balance your account's waiver needs, or close the card. If you do not need the card, ask the bank in writing to cancel it before the renewal date.

Does a PayPak card work abroad?

No, PayPak is for use inside Pakistan. For travel or foreign websites you need a Visa, Mastercard or UnionPay card.

How we verified this

What we checked, where we read it, and what we could not confirm.

Checked on 7 October 2026 in the Schedule of Bank Charges for 1 July to 31 December 2026 from HBL, UBL, Bank Alfalah, Bank AL Habib, Meezan Bank and MCB. Meezan Bank's PayPak card page lists Rs 1,600 a year plus tax, which differs from its July to December schedule, so we used the schedule. MCB's schedule prints the old and new figures on top of each other, so we quote only the entry level cards. Fees change every six months.