Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif on Friday directed the relevant authorities to present a clear roadmap, with specific timelines and targets, for establishing a 100 percent digital payments system across the country. Chairing a high-level meeting on the promotion of a cashless economy, the prime minister said that promoting a cashless economy was one of the government's top priorities, and positive results had already started emerging.
He appreciated the ongoing efforts of the Ministry of Finance and all relevant state institutions for promoting a cashless economy. The prime minister directed the authorities to immediately address the problems faced by consumers in the digital payment system.
He also stressed the need to ensure internet connectivity across the country and facilitate public access to technology to promote a cashless economy. He instructed the authorities to continue the government-backed initiative aimed at promoting digital payments between consumers and merchants through the Raast QR Code system.
He observed that the Raast QR Code-based payment system was helping the government achieve its vision of a cashless economy. The prime minister also directed the launch of an effective media campaign to encourage electricity and gas consumers to make payments through QR codes printed on their utility bills.
He further instructed all ministries and government institutions to ensure the complete implementation of the government's cashless economy plan. During the meeting, the participants were briefed on the ongoing measures being taken to promote a cashless economy.
The meeting was informed that work on digitizing payments across all federal and provincial government institutions was progressing rapidly, with payments in most institutions expected to be fully digitized by December 2026. The participants were also informed that 100 percent of payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were being made through digital wallets.
Work was also underway to introduce an advanced system for digital payments in areas without internet connectivity, while infrastructure development to ensure internet access throughout the country was progressing rapidly. The meeting was informed that payments through cheques under Easy Assignment Accounts would be discontinued from November 15, 2026.
From November 16, all payments under Easy Assignment Accounts across the country would be made through the Raast digital payment system. The relevant Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) had already been trained in this regard.
Federal Ministers Muhammad Aurangzeb, Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Attaullah Tarar, Junaid Anwar Chaudhry, Ali Pervaiz Malik and Sardar Awais Leghari, Prime Minister's Adviser Rana Sanaullah, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, provincial chief secretaries and senior officials of relevant institutions attended the meeting.
Meanwhile, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the modernization of the Trade Development Authority of Pakistan (TDAP) to boost the country's exports, enhance the access of local products to global markets, and align local industries, including Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), with export standards.