Prime Minister’s goal of 100 percent digital payments across the country

Summary: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed to prepare a clear action plan and time-bound targets for digital payments to promote a cashless economy in the country. According to a government briefing, the process of making payments digital in most federal and provincial institutions will be completed by December 2026, while 100 percent payments of the Benazir Income Support Program are being made through digital wallets.

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has said that the promotion of a cashless economy is among the government’s top priorities and the positive results of the steps taken in this regard have started to emerge.

The Prime Minister said this while chairing a high-level meeting on the promotion of a cashless economy in Islamabad on Friday. He directed the relevant authorities to present a clear action plan, set targets and a completion period for a 100 percent digital payments system across the country.

Shehbaz Sharif, while appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and relevant state institutions, said that the problems faced by consumers in the digital payment system should be resolved immediately. He also stressed on ensuring the availability of internet in all areas of the country and easy access of the public to modern technology.

The Prime Minister directed to make the government’s Raast QR code system more effective to promote digital transactions. He also directed to launch an awareness campaign to encourage electricity and gas consumers to make payments through the QR code on their utility bills.

In a briefing given to the meeting, it was informed that the process of digitizing payments in federal and provincial government institutions is in full swing. According to officials, all payments in most institutions will be transferred to the digital system by December 2026.

It was informed in the briefing that 100 percent payments of Benazir Income Support Program (BISP) are being made through digital wallets. In addition, work is underway to introduce a modern digital payment system for areas where internet facilities are not available.

The officials also briefed the meeting on the steps taken to develop infrastructure for providing internet across the country.

It was also informed in the meeting that payments through cheques under Asan Assignment Accounts will be discontinued from November 15, while payments to these accounts will be made through a direct digital system across the country from November 16. Training of the concerned Drawing and Disbursing Officers has also been completed for this purpose.

According to the government, expanding the digital payments system can help in transparency in financial transactions, public convenience and documenting the economy. However, the success of this project will depend on reliable internet, equal access to digital services, consumer protection and effective performance of the payments system.