Pakistan’s Cashless Dashboard is set to receive annual performance targets for the current fiscal year along with new analytical indicators designed to improve real-time monitoring and data transparency. The development was discussed during a high-level review meeting at the Finance Division as authorities prepare for the upcoming review of the Prime Minister’s Cashless Initiative. The meeting was chaired by Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani and attended by officials from the Finance Division, State Bank of Pakistan, NADRA, Capital Development Authority, Ministry of IT and Telecommunication, and private-sector stakeholders.
During the meeting, officials reviewed progress recorded during the previous year across active digital merchants, overall digital transaction volumes and digital banking users. The session also assessed progress on digitizing government payments involving State-Owned Enterprises and autonomous bodies, with the government reiterating its objective of fully digitizing vendor, employee and pension payouts. The review is intended to provide clearer visibility into the pace of digital payment adoption and the implementation of cashless initiatives.
Merchant adoption was another key area discussed during the meeting, with authorities considering the establishment of a centralized merchant database. The proposed database would provide greater real-time visibility into transactions and merchant activity, helping stakeholders monitor the expansion of digital payment acceptance across the country. The initiative also aligns with broader efforts to increase the use of digital payment channels among businesses and consumers.
The government also emphasized the need to streamline digital payment journeys so citizens can make payments digitally across different touchpoints. The focus on simpler payment experiences comes as Pakistan continues to expand its digital financial infrastructure and promote greater use of electronic transactions across both private and public-sector services.
Minister Bilal Azhar Kayani reaffirmed the government’s commitment to developing a transparent, documented and inclusive economy, while stressing the importance of regular progress reviews. With new annual targets and real-time indicators planned for the Cashless Dashboard, authorities aim to maintain closer oversight of digital payment growth and accelerate implementation of the country’s wider cashless economy agenda.
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