Pakistan Postal Order & Money Order: The Complete Guide
Before mobile wallets, there was the money order — and it still moves billions across Pakistan, especially where banks don’t reach. This guide explains Pakistan Post’s money order types, fees, and how to send one.
Quick answer: Pakistan Post offers ordinary, urgent and electronic money orders (plus fax money orders at select offices). Visit any post office with CNIC and cash, fill the form, pay the fee, and the recipient collects with ID — or receives it via electronic transfer where available.
In this guide
Types of money orders
| Type | Speed | Best for | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ordinary Money Order | Standard delivery | Routine transfers | |
| Urgent Money Order | Faster handling | Time-sensitive needs | |
| Electronic Money Order (EMO) | Electronic transfer | Where EMO locations exist | |
| Fax Money Order | Same-day (select offices) | Emergencies |
How to send one
- Visit any post office with your CNIC and the cash amount plus fee.
- Fill the money order form: recipient’s full name, address and phone.
- Pay — keep the receipt with the MO number.
- The recipient collects with their CNIC (or receives electronically for EMO).
- Track/escalate via helpline 051-111-111-117 if delayed.
Fees, limits and practical notes
Money order fees are modest — a small commission scaled to the amount — making MOs among Pakistan’s cheapest ways to move cash. Limits per order are set by Pakistan Post and revised periodically; for large sums, split across orders or use banking channels.
- Bring: your CNIC, the cash, and the recipient’s full name, address and mobile number.
- Keep: the receipt with the MO number — it’s your proof and your tracking reference.
- Collecting: the recipient needs their own CNIC; names must match the form exactly.
- Delays: ordinary MOs travel with the mail — allow days; urgent/EMO options are faster.
EMO: the electronic money order
The Electronic Money Order (EMO) is the money order’s digital upgrade: instead of travelling physically with the mail, the transfer moves electronically between post offices, and the recipient is notified to collect — faster and harder to lose than the paper MO.
Availability depends on both the sending and receiving offices being EMO-enabled — ask at your counter. The procedure mirrors the ordinary MO (CNIC, cash, recipient details), with the speed closer to a bank transfer and the cost still post-office-cheap. For urgent family support, it’s the sweet spot between the slow ordinary MO and expensive wire services.
Frequently asked questions
What is a postal order in Pakistan?
A money order through Pakistan Post — a way to send cash securely to anyone, anywhere in Pakistan, collected with CNIC.
How long does a money order take in Pakistan?
Ordinary MOs take a few days; urgent and electronic MOs are faster. Ask at the counter for current timeframes.
What is the fee for a money order in Pakistan?
A small commission scaled to the amount sent — among the cheapest transfer options available. Confirm the current schedule at your post office counter.
What is the maximum money order amount?
Per-order limits are set by Pakistan Post and revised periodically — ask at the counter; larger sums can be split across orders.
What is the difference between MO and EMO?
An ordinary money order travels physically with the mail (slower); an Electronic Money Order transfers electronically between enabled post offices (faster). Both are collected with CNIC.
