ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reaffirmed Pakistan’s commitment to building a cashless economy, saying it is essential for sustainable growth, transparency, and modern governance.
Chairing a high-level meeting on Monday, the Prime Minister said that Pakistan had prioritized digital transformation from the very beginning, and visible progress was now being achieved.
During the briefing, officials informed him that bill payments for electricity and gas have been integrated with the Raast QR code system, allowing citizens to make payments digitally.
The Prime Minister was also told that one million digital wallets have been developed under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) — these wallets will be fully functional by the end of the month, enabling future digital cash transfers to beneficiaries.
A mobile app for Islamabad’s government services has been linked to Raast, while new digital bank licenses are being issued nationwide to boost financial inclusion.
Currently, 68% of Pakistan’s population is financially included, reflecting strong growth in digital finance adoption. The Prime Minister directed ministries to achieve all cashless economy targets within the set timeframe, emphasizing that digital payments will curb corruption and improve transparency.
Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, and State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad also attended the meeting.
