Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Monday chaired a high-level weekly meeting on Pakistan’s transition toward a cashless and digital economy, emphasizing the government’s commitment to transparency, accountability, and ease of doing business through digitization.
The PM directed authorities to complete the appointment of the Board of Governors and Chairman of Raast, Pakistan’s digital payment platform, by September, and instructed that all State-Owned Enterprises (SOEs) be brought under the purview of the digital system.
He was told in the meeting that digitization of payments, including salaries, pensions, and transactions with contractors, will be fully implemented in the first phase of the government’s digital economy roadmap. PM Shehbaz emphasized that steps toward a cashless economy must be made easier for small and medium-sized businesses to foster growth and inclusion.
“Bringing transparency to the economy is the government’s top priority. Digital solutions must serve both the public and the business community,” he said during the meeting.
Public awareness campaign, infrastructure expansion
Officials briefed the prime minister that a nationwide public awareness campaign about Raast and digital payments will be launched next month to encourage adoption. To facilitate this shift, the government has abolished import duties on digital payment devices, making it easier for businesses and consumers to access necessary tools.
An advertisement has been published for the recruitment of the chief executive officer (CEO) of Raast, while the Digital Payments Index, aimed at aligning Pakistan’s economy with global digital benchmarks, is set to launch within a month.
Digital payment volume is expected to double from Rs7.5 billion to Rs15 billion, while mobile app and digital banking users are projected to rise from 95 million to 120 million, reflecting growing public engagement with fintech services.
Islamabad to Serve as a Model Digital City
In line with infrastructure development, the CDA Board has approved right-of-way for digital public infrastructure in Islamabad. The Islamabad City mobile application has been integrated with Raast, and work is underway to establish public Wi-Fi and e-libraries at key locations in the capital by December 2025.
The Prime Minister also urged the inclusion of economic and business experts in the Raast Board of Directors to guide its strategy and ensure the system meets market needs.
