Islamabad has taken another major step in its drive to become Pakistan’s first fully cashless and technology-enabled model city, following directives issued by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The capital has now entered the second and most expansive phase of its digital payments transformation after completing earlier groundwork aimed at reducing reliance on physical currency. The initial phase saw the introduction of digital payment systems across weekly bazaars, the CDA One-Window Facilitation Centre, and the metro and electric bus networks, marking a visible shift in how residents interact with public services.
With the foundations successfully established, the city has now begun rolling out the second phase, which focuses on extending the Raast QR-code payment network across Islamabad’s entire commercial ecosystem. This expansion will include all major commercial centres, shopping malls, Class-III markets, hotels, guest houses, petrol pumps, restaurants and additional business zones where cash transactions have historically dominated. The goal is to create an integrated digital payment environment that covers every layer of the city’s economic activity, enabling seamless, instant, and secure transactions for residents and merchants alike.
A high-level review meeting, chaired by CDA Chairman and Islamabad Chief Commissioner Muhammad Ali Randhawa, assessed progress on the ongoing transformation and issued directives to accelerate full-scale implementation. The session brought together senior members from the CDA administration and finance divisions, along with representatives from major commercial banks that are facilitating the expansion of QR-enabled services. Officials briefed the chairman that QR systems are already being rapidly deployed across markaz-level markets, large shopping malls and local commercial hubs, forming the backbone of the citywide transition.
During the meeting, the chairman highlighted how the capital’s broader digital transformation is expanding beyond payment systems. He pointed to the introduction of M-Tag integration and digital parking solutions as complementary initiatives that will contribute to a seamless and fully digitised urban infrastructure. These upgrades aim to improve service delivery, enhance road efficiency and ensure that Islamabad’s residents experience modern, technology-driven civic facilities.
The chairman also instructed commercial banks to intensify public awareness campaigns to ensure citizens and businesses fully understand how to use QR-based payments. Banks have been asked to provide guidance and hands-on assistance to merchants so that adoption barriers can be minimized. Merchants, traders and shopkeepers were encouraged to motivate customers by offering discount schemes and special incentives for transactions completed through QR codes. These steps are viewed as essential to building confidence in digital payments and ensuring wide-scale adoption across diverse segments of the population.
The expansion of the Raast QR system is expected to significantly reduce cash dependency, enhance transparency in commercial transactions and position Islamabad as a model for other cities seeking similar transformation. As digital infrastructure strengthens and resident participation increases, Islamabad’s push for a cashless economy is poised to set a national precedent for efficient, transparent and inclusive urban governance driven by advanced financial technology.
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