PM orders roadmap for fully digital payments, cheques to end for some accounts

Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed the relevant authorities to prepare a roadmap with specific timelines and targets for a fully digital payment system across Pakistan. He gave the instruction while chairing a high-level meeting in Islamabad to review progress on the cashless economy initiative, according to a statement from the Prime Minister's Office issued on X.

Daily Jang reported that Sharif described the promotion of a cashless economy as one of the government's top priorities. He also directed ministries and government institutions to ensure the plan is carried out.

The prime minister called for nationwide internet connectivity and easy public access to technology. He also told officials to deal with customer complaints about digital payment services without delay.

Sharif asked for digital transactions between consumers and merchants to be promoted through the Raast QR Code initiative. He also instructed authorities to launch a media campaign urging electricity and gas consumers to pay their bills through the QR codes printed on them.

On government payments, the meeting was told that digitalisation across federal and provincial departments is moving quickly, and that most institutions are expected to finish the process by December. According to the briefing, 100 per cent of Benazir Income Support Programme payments are already made through digital wallets.

Payments by cheque into Asaan Assignment Accounts will be discontinued from November 15. The Prime Minister's Office said that from November 16 all payments into these accounts across the country would be made through the Raast digital payment system. Relevant drawing and disbursing officers have already been trained for the new mechanism.

The briefing also said work is under way on an advanced digital payment mechanism for areas without internet connectivity, and that infrastructure work to expand internet access is progressing quickly.