Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif Directs Strict Timelines for 100 Percent Digital Payments Across Government and Public Sectors; Orders Effective Media Campaign for QR Code Utility Bill Payments
ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has reiterated that the government will continue pushing for a cashless economy as the benefits of the government’s current digitalisation efforts are starting to become evident.
Prime Minister Shehbaz, chairing a high-level review meeting in Islamabad on the advancement of cashless payment system, instructed relevant authorities to set clear and concrete deadlines for 100 per cent digital payments, underscoring that grievances of consumers in digital payment system should be addressed on an urgent basis.
The Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif presided over a Cashless Economy Review Meeting which highlighted the key issues and concerns.
Internet access and public use of digital technology: The Prime Minister asked for the implementation of broad-based internet access and public access to digitized technology, and emphasized that the Raast instant payment scheme for digital technology, which is under the active patronage of the government, should continue.
QR Code Bill Payment Campaign: PM Shehbaz instructed that a massive and effective media campaign be launched to motivate citizens to use the QR codes on electricity and gas bills for ease in making digital payments.
During the briefing, the government officials have told Prime Minister that the process of digitizing financial transactions in federal and provincial government departments have been expedited. By December 2026, most Government organisations are expected to move to 100% digital payments.
BISP and Assignment Accounts: It was pointed out that 100 per cent of Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) disbursements are now made through the digital wallets. In addition, from November 15, check payments will be discontinued in Asaan Assignment Accounts and all payments will be made on the Raast digital system from November 16. In addition, a state-of-the-art offline digital payment platform is being developed to enable payments in locations where there is no internet coverage.