Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to prepare a clear roadmap with time-bound targets for establishing a 100% digital payments system across Pakistan, placing nationwide payment digitisation and internet accessibility at the centre of the government’s cashless economy agenda. The directives were issued during a high-level meeting in Islamabad on November 6, where officials reviewed ongoing initiatives to increase digital transactions across government institutions, businesses and consumer services. The prime minister instructed authorities to immediately address problems faced by users of digital payment services and stressed that reliable internet connectivity and easier access to technology must be ensured across the country. He described the promotion of a cashless economy as a government priority and acknowledged the efforts of the Ministry of Finance and relevant state institutions in advancing the initiative. The meeting also reviewed the role of Raast QR codes in facilitating payments between consumers and merchants, with the prime minister directing that the government-backed programme continue. The proposed roadmap is expected to establish specific timelines and targets for expanding digital payment adoption, although the government has not yet announced a detailed implementation schedule for achieving the 100% target.
Raast QR-based payments remain a central component of the government’s strategy to increase electronic transactions across retail and public-facing services. The prime minister instructed authorities to continue promoting QR payments between merchants and consumers and called for a media campaign encouraging electricity and gas consumers to pay utility bills through QR codes printed on their bills. The initiative is intended to make digital payment options more accessible for households while encouraging wider use of banking applications and compatible payment services. The government is also seeking to expand the adoption of electronic payment methods across ministries and public institutions. According to the briefing presented during the meeting, digitisation work across federal and provincial government departments is progressing, with payments in most institutions expected to become fully digital by December 2026. Officials also informed the meeting that all payments under the Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) were already being made through digital wallets. This reflects the growing use of digital financial channels for government disbursements, particularly programmes that deliver financial assistance to eligible beneficiaries. The prime minister directed all ministries and government institutions to ensure full implementation of the cashless economy plan.
Another significant measure discussed during the meeting concerns the transition of government payments under Asaan Assignment Accounts from cheque-based processing to the Raast digital payment system. According to the briefing, cheque payments through these accounts will be discontinued from November 15, 2026, with payments shifting to Raast from November 16. Drawing and Disbursing Officers (DDOs) responsible for processing government payments have already received training for the transition. The change is intended to move these payment flows onto digital infrastructure rather than relying on traditional cheque-based procedures. The meeting was also informed that authorities are working on a modern digital payment mechanism for areas without internet connectivity. This is an important consideration for a nationwide cashless economy programme, as digital payment services must remain accessible in locations where connectivity is limited or unavailable. Alongside payment-system development, the government is working to expand internet infrastructure and improve public access to technology. The prime minister emphasised that connectivity and access are necessary conditions for wider digital payment adoption, particularly among consumers and businesses outside major urban centres.
The latest directives build on the government’s broader Cashless Pakistan initiative, which has involved expanding Raast merchant payments, digitising public-sector collections and encouraging financial institutions and businesses to adopt electronic transaction channels. The government has previously highlighted the growth of active merchants accepting digital payments and the expansion of digital transactions as indicators of progress. However, moving towards a 100% digital payments system will require more than the availability of payment infrastructure. Consumers and merchants must be able to access reliable services, resolve transaction failures and use digital channels with confidence. Internet availability, technology affordability, financial literacy and the ability to make payments in areas with limited connectivity will also influence the pace of adoption. The latest meeting did not disclose a final nationwide implementation deadline or detailed milestones for every sector, but it established a clear direction for authorities to develop measurable targets and address existing service challenges. With most government institutions expected to digitise payments by December 2026 and Asaan Assignment Account payments scheduled to transition to Raast in November, the coming months will be important for assessing how quickly the government’s cashless economy plans translate into wider digital payment usage across Pakistan.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
