Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed relevant authorities to double all targets related to the development of a digital and cashless economy in Pakistan.
The announcement was made during a weekly high-level meeting held at the Prime Minister’s House, focused on advancing digital transactions and enhancing transparency in the national economy. Prime Minister Sharif emphasized that digital payment systems are essential for promoting efficiency and simplifying transactions between citizens and businesses. He underscored the urgency of adopting digital platforms to align with global economic trends.
The Prime Minister instructed that committees formed to support the cashless economy must consult all stakeholders and submit actionable, practical proposals promptly.
The meeting was informed that three specialized committees had already been established: the Digital Payments Innovation and Adoption Committee, the Digital Public Infrastructure Committee, and the Government Payments Committee. These committees presented strategic plans on digitizing the economy and briefed the Prime Minister on their progress.
The State Bank of Pakistan is currently developing a comprehensive strategy to facilitate digital payments and onboard the business community. A targeted support package for small businesses is also in the final stages of preparation.
As part of the digital economy roadmap, the government aims to increase the number of mobile app users for digital payments from 95 million to 120 million, and boost merchants using QR code-based payments from 0.9 million to 2 million. Digital transactions are expected to grow from PKR 7.5 billion to PKR 12 billion. However, Prime Minister Sharif has now instructed that these targets be doubled to accelerate progress.
The meeting was also briefed on the “Digital National Pakistan” initiative, which is already underway. The Islamabad City App, which provides 15 public services, has been downloaded 1.3 million times and has generated over PKR 15.5 billion in revenue from excise and taxation services. Additionally, work on the “Digital Pakistan ID” project is progressing rapidly.
Plans to launch an e-stamping system in Islamabad are in motion, and efforts are being made to ensure Wi-Fi connectivity in public facilities including hospitals, educational institutions, government offices, parks, and metro bus lines within the federal capital.
Prime Minister Sharif also directed that these digital facilities and services be expanded to Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Gilgit-Baltistan, and other federally administered regions.
The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for IT and Telecom Shaza Fatima, Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik, Adviser to the Prime Minister Dr. Tauqir Shah, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Azhar Kayani, and other senior officials.
