ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Tuesday directed that all overseas remittances be processed through digital channels as part of the government’s efforts to accelerate Pakistan’s transition towards a cashless economy and improve financial transparency.
Chairing a high-level review meeting on digital payments, the prime minister also instructed authorities to expand the adoption of digital payment systems, strengthen public awareness campaigns and encourage banks to play a more active role in promoting cashless transactions.
How Is Pakistan Advancing Towards a Cashless Economy?
During the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz praised the economic team for achieving significant progress in digital financial inclusion over the past year.
Officials informed the meeting that the number of active merchants accepting QR code-based digital payments increased by 300%, reaching 2.003 million between June 2025 and June 2026.
The number of mobile banking application users also rose from 95 million to 137 million, while 11.9 billion digital transactions were recorded during the same period.
The meeting was further informed that 99% of National Database and Registration Authority (Nadra) payments have been digitised, reducing cash payments from 71% to just 1%.
What Measures Is the Government Taking to Expand Digital Payments?
The prime minister directed authorities to intensify awareness campaigns encouraging merchants to adopt QR code-based payment systems and urged banks and financial institutions to accelerate the rollout of digital payment solutions, including the Raast instant payment system.
Officials also briefed the meeting that all payments to 10 million Benazir Income Support Programme (BISP) beneficiaries are now being made through digital wallets, which the prime minister described as more transparent, efficient and convenient.
The meeting was informed that 92% of overseas remittances received between July 2025 and June 2026 were already processed through digital channels.
An independent third-party evaluation of the government’s cashless economy initiative is currently underway, with a final report and recommendations expected in November 2026.
The meeting was attended by senior cabinet members, including Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister Ahad Khan Cheema, Information Minister Attaullah Tarar, IT Minister Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Minister of State for Finance Bilal Azhar Kayani, State Bank Governor Jameel Ahmad, the Nadra chairman and other senior officials.