ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed authorities to prepare a roadmap with clear targets and timelines for introducing a fully digital payment system across Pakistan, as the government moves to promote a cashless economy.
Chairing a high-level meeting on the initiative, the prime minister said promoting a cashless economy was among the government’s top priorities and that positive results had already begun to emerge.
He praised the Ministry of Finance and other relevant institutions for their efforts to expand digital payments.
Sharif directed authorities to immediately address problems faced by consumers using digital payment systems and ensure nationwide internet connectivity and easy access to technology.
He said the government-backed scheme promoting digital transactions between consumers and merchants through Raast QR codes should continue.
The prime minister said the Raast QR code payment system was playing an important role in advancing the government’s cashless economy initiative.
He also directed authorities to launch an effective media campaign encouraging electricity and gas consumers to pay their bills through QR codes printed on utility bills.
Sharif instructed all federal ministries and government institutions to ensure full implementation of the cashless economy plan.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on progress towards digitising payments across federal and provincial government institutions.
The meeting was informed that most government institutions were expected to complete the digitisation of their payment systems by December 2026.
Officials said all payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were being made through digital wallets.
The meeting was also informed that work was underway to introduce an advanced digital payment system for areas without internet access, while efforts to expand internet infrastructure nationwide were progressing rapidly.
According to the briefing, payments through cheques from Asaan Assignment Accounts will be discontinued from Nov. 15.
From Nov. 16, all payments from Asaan Assignment Accounts across the country will be processed through the Raast digital payment system.
Officials said relevant Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) had already received training for the transition.
The meeting was attended by federal ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Attaullah Tarar, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Sardar Awais Leghari.
Adviser to the Prime Minister Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries and senior officials from relevant institutions also attended.
