Report: ANI
Islamabad: Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif chaired a high-level meeting to review progress and ongoing measures for promoting a cashless economy in the country.
The Prime Minister said that promoting a cashless economy was among the government’s top priorities and that positive results of the ongoing initiatives had started to emerge. Appreciating the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and relevant state institutions, he directed the authorities to present a clear roadmap with specific timelines and targets for establishing a 100 per cent digital payment system across the country.
He instructed the relevant authorities to immediately address issues faced by consumers in digital payments, ensure nationwide internet connectivity and facilitate public access to technology. He also directed that the government-backed initiative to promote digital payments between consumers and merchants through Raast QR codes should continue.
The Prime Minister further called for an effective media campaign to encourage electricity and gas consumers to pay their utility bills through QR codes printed on the bills. He directed all ministries and government institutions to ensure full implementation of the cashless economy plan.
The meeting was informed that the digitisation of payments across federal and provincial government institutions was progressing rapidly, with most institutions expected to complete the process by December 2026. It was also informed that 100 per cent of Benazir Income Support Programme payments were being made through digital wallets.
Officials briefed the meeting that work was underway to introduce an advanced digital payment system for areas without internet connectivity, while infrastructure development to expand internet access nationwide was also progressing.
The meeting was further informed that cheque-based payments through Asaan Assignment Accounts would be discontinued from November 15, 2026. From November 16, all payments through these accounts would be made through the Raast digital system. Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) had already received the required training.
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 Kiani; State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad; provincial chief secretaries and senior officials of relevant institutions attended the meeting.
