Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has emphasized the importance of close coordination between the federal and provincial governments for the successful implementation of Pakistan’s cashless and digital economy initiative.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on the subject, the PM reiterated the government’s commitment to encouraging digital fund transfers through effective policy measures, aiming to enhance transparency and facilitate public convenience.
During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on key developments, including the launch of the Merchant Onboarding Framework on July 25 and the near-completion of appointments for the Pakistan Digital Authority (PDA). The process to select the chairperson and members of the PDA is currently in its final stages.
Prime Minister Shehbaz directed that meaningful and continuous consultation with provincial governments and all relevant stakeholders must be ensured to make the transition to a cashless economy smooth and inclusive. He stressed that provinces should extend full cooperation to the federation in implementing the digital economy roadmap.
“The digitization of the economy is essential for promoting transparency, efficiency, and ease of access,” the PM said. “The core objective of this initiative is to provide convenience to the public without imposing any additional costs.”
The federal government has been pushing forward with reforms aimed at increasing digital transactions, enhancing financial inclusion, and reducing dependency on cash. The PM called for making stakeholder engagement a permanent feature of the national digital economy strategy.
Officials from the Ministry of IT and Digital Pakistan initiative also participated in the meeting, presenting progress updates and next steps.
